Evolution of Populations

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the evolution of populations, including definitions and processes.

Evolution

The pattern of change through time in populations.

Microevolution

The change in allele frequencies in a population over generations, representing evolution at its smallest scale.

Natural Selection

A process that causes adaptive evolution based on heritable traits that provide a survival advantage.

Population Genetics

The study of processes that change allele and genotype frequencies in populations.

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Predicts allele frequencies in non-evolving (equilibrium) populations.

Gene Pool

The total genetic diversity found within a population.

Genetic Drift

Non-adaptive changes in allele frequency due to chance events, especially significant in small populations.

Founder Effect

Change in allele frequencies that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population in a new area.

Bottleneck Effect

A significant reduction in population size leading to a loss of genetic variation.

Gene Flow

The movement of alleles between populations, which can equalize allele frequencies.

Mutation

The original source of genetic diversity that creates new alleles.

Homozygosity

The state of having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Heterozygosity

The state of having two different alleles for a particular gene.

Directional Selection

Favors one extreme phenotype, causing a change in the average phenotype in a specific direction.

Stabilizing Selection

Favors intermediate phenotypes, eliminating extremes and maintaining the average phenotype in a population.

Disruptive Selection

Favors extreme phenotypes at both ends of the spectrum, increasing variation in a trait.

Balancing Selection

No single phenotype is favored across all populations at all times, maintaining genetic variation.

Inbreeding Depression

Reduced biological fitness in a given population due to inbreeding, leading to higher homozygosity.

Intersexual Selection

Individuals of one sex (typically females) choose mates based on certain traits.

Intrasexual Selection

Competition among individuals of the same sex (typically males) for access to mates.