ALLELE FREQS

Micro-evolution

Changes in allele frequencies within populations.

Allele frequency

Proportion of a specific allele in a population.

Evolutionary genetics

Study of genetic changes in populations over time.

Population genetics

Study of genetic composition of populations.

Biological evolution

Heritable changes in organisms over generations.

Heritable variation

Genetic differences passed from parents to offspring.

Mendelian inheritance

Inheritance patterns based on Mendel's laws.

Genotype

Genetic constitution of an organism.

Phenotype

Observable traits of an organism.

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Model predicting allele frequencies in a non-evolving population.

Random mating

Mating without preference for genotypes.

Homozygote

Individual with identical alleles for a trait.

Heterozygote

Individual with different alleles for a trait.

p and q

Allele frequencies where p + q = 1.

Progeny

Offspring produced from mating.

Genotypic frequency

Proportion of each genotype in a population.

Gamete frequency

Proportion of each gamete type in reproduction.

Environmental change

Alterations in surroundings affecting organisms.

Mutation rate

Frequency of mutations occurring in a population.

Uniparental inheritance

Inheritance from one parent only.

Generational change

Changes occurring from one generation to the next.

Calorific diet

Diet high in calories affecting weight.

Adaptive traits

Characteristics that enhance survival and reproduction.

p

Frequency of allele A in a population.

q

Frequency of allele a in a population.

p'

Frequency of allele A in the next generation.

q'

Frequency of allele a in the next generation.

Mendelian inheritance

Inheritance pattern that maintains allele frequencies.

k

Proportion inheriting allele A from heterozygote.

k=0.5

Indicates Mendelian inheritance occurs.

p'=p

Indicates no change in allele frequency.

p2

Square of frequency of allele A.

pq

Product of frequencies of alleles A and a.

Migration

Movement of alleles between populations.

Fixation

When a population has only one allele.

Mutation rate (μ)

Probability of mutation per base pair per generation.

2N

Total number of alleles in a diploid population.

Allele frequency change

Alteration in the proportion of alleles.

Selection

Differential survival or reproduction based on traits.

Dull causes of allele frequency

Factors like migration and mutation that minimally affect frequencies.

Rare mutations

Mutations occur infrequently at specific DNA positions.

Population size impact

Larger populations reduce frequency change from mutation.

Allele relocation

Movement of alleles without overall frequency change.

2N-1

Number of alleles that remain A after mutation.

Fixation mutation

Mutation occurring in a population fixed for A.

p(1-p)

Product of allele frequencies used in calculations.

Hurst 2019

Reference discussing segregation ratio assumptions.

Mutation Rate

Frequency of genetic mutations in a population.

Allele Frequency

Proportion of a specific allele in a gene pool.

Quasi-species

A cloud of rapidly mutating genetic types.

Survival of the Flattest

Survival based on mutation resilience, not fitness.

Neutral Theory of Evolution

Evolution driven by chance, not natural selection.

Drift

Random changes in allele frequencies over generations.

Fixation

When an allele's frequency reaches 100% in a population.

Selective Neutrality

Alleles that have no effect on fitness.

Probability of Fixation

Chance an allele will become fixed in a population.

Mendelian Coin Toss

Random inheritance of alleles during reproduction.

Rate of Evolution

Speed at which mutations become fixed differences.

Heterozygote

An individual with two different alleles at a locus.

Chance Events

Random occurrences affecting allele frequency changes.

Population Size (N)

Number of individuals in a population affecting evolution.

Mutation Introduction Rate

Frequency at which new mutations appear in a population.

Genotype

Genetic constitution of an individual organism.

Surviving Progeny

Offspring that survive to reproductive age.

Allele

Variant form of a gene at a locus.

Fitness

Reproductive success of an organism in its environment.

Random Genetic Drift

Variation in allele frequencies due to chance.

Gas Diffusion Model

Mathematical model for allele frequency changes.

Black and White Ball Analogy

Illustration of fixation probability using colored balls.

Rate of introduction

2N mu represents new allele introduction rate.

Rate of evolution

mu substitutions per generation indicates evolutionary speed.

Neutral evolution

Evolution rate independent of population size N.

Kimura's theory

Neutral theory explaining constant evolution rates.

Generation time

Time taken for one generation cycle.

Mutation rate

Frequency of new mutations appearing in a population.

Selection

Force changing allele frequencies in populations.

Fitness

Reproductive success of an allele or genotype.

Differential birth/death

Variation in survival and reproduction rates among alleles.

Heterozygote fitness

Fitness of individuals with two different alleles.

Mean fitness (w)

Average fitness across all genotypes in a population.

White allele invasion

Occurs when t>0, indicating fitness advantage.

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

Model predicting allele frequency stability without selection.

Black morph frequency

Proportion of black moths in a population.

Clean Air Act impact

Reduced black moth frequency due to environmental changes.

Sexual selection

Selection based on mate preference and attractiveness.

Sexy son hypothesis

Females prefer traits that enhance male offspring attractiveness.

Allele fixation

Process where a specific allele becomes the only variant.

Allele frequency change

Variation in allele proportions across generations.

Differential fertility

Variation in reproductive success among different genotypes.

Mendelian inheritance

Genetic inheritance patterns based on dominant and recessive alleles.

Exploding termites

Example of unusual traits influenced by selection.

Fruit fly mutations

High mutation rates affecting fertility and survival.

Handicap theory

Males display costly traits to signal genetic quality.

Honest signal hypothesis

Traits indicate true genetic fitness to females.

Good genes hypothesis

Females prefer males with costly, extravagant traits.

Sexual selection

Mate choice based on traits, not survival.

Natural selection

Adaptation to environment for survival and reproduction.

Kin selection

Altruism towards relatives enhances shared genetic success.

Altruism

Behavior benefiting others at a personal cost.

Hamilton's rule

b.r > c determines altruism's persistence.