Fishing in Hot Springs

If you were to go "fishing" (see pg. 70) at Yellowstone National Park hot springs (assuming it was legal), what species might you find- list at least two species examples? What characteristics would those species have? What domain of species would you have found? What are the different types (those that live in hot water, in salt, etc.) and name a specific species of each type. Discuss the conditions of the Earth that would lead to these types of species and their characteristics. How have the conditions of the Earth changed so that other species are born and relate to the theme of evolution. Finally, how have these species helped us discover new information?

Immortal genes

What are 'immortal' genes? Why have these genes been able to stay the same through a large amount of time without being altered by mutations? Name two functions of immortal genes, and explain why the genes serving those functions have survived in many different species.

Mutations

Describe the difference between synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations. Mathematically, which type of mutation is more common? In nature, which type of mutation do we see more often, and why is this so?

Selective Pressures

For every organism in every ecosystem, there are selective pressures that influence what traits are passed on and what traits die out based on selective advantages/disadvantages. Sometimes this selective pressure is simply due to competition for resources; one trait gives an individual an advantage in collecting food or water, for example. More often, the selective pressure is applied by "agents of natural selection," organisms that act to literally determine which trait is the fittest for survival; these agents are usually predators that consume less well adapted prey.
Cite an instance of selective pressure; state the nature of the pressures; discuss the effects of this pressure in the context of the fifth theme of biology, interaction with the environment, or the sixth theme of biology, regulation.

Natural Selection based from Mutations

The pigeon example mentioned through pages 53-54 helps to show how a mutation can actually help the selection of a certain species over another. The example illustrated is that some pigeons have a white rump that helps in maneuvering so as to evade falcons. What are two other examples through the book where a mutation has actually helped an organism's chance at survival? Also, Sean Carroll states that natural selection picks out the winners and losers of mutated organisms, please add in your response how a mutation, or lack thereof, has determined the status, whether a winner or loser, of that organism.