Patterns of Diversity

Synopsis

Looks at the field evidence for natural selection on the island of Madeira, where over 200 distinct endemic species of land snail have become adapted to a variety of habitats. Addresses the problem of genetic diversity within a species - polymorphism - using the land snail ‘Cepaea memoralis’. Shows the influence of natural selection on visible genetic diversity by studying the effects of climate on shell variation in ‘Cepaea’. Using a unique snail ranch that houses up to 5000 animals, follows the fate of single individuals in their response to natural selection by climate. Looks at how recent studies have uncovered a wealth of genetic variation at the molecular level, in proteins. This protein polymorphism is one line of evidence supporting the evolutionary theories of Professor Kimura from the National Institute of Genetics in Japan, who postulates that random chance or genetic drift, and not natural selection, plays a key role in influencing the patterns of molecular variation.

Series

Genetics, Course S298

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 25 min.

Year of production

1987

Availability

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Subjects

Biology

Keywords

genetic variation; genetics; natural selection; polymorphism

Credits

Producer

Nick Brenton

Cast

Lesley Judd
M Kimura
Steve Jones

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk