Genetics, Variation & Gene Change in Population

Flashcards about genetics, variation, and gene changes in population.

Variation

Changes in genotype and changes in phenotype.

Gene pool

All of the genes and the alleles of genes that occur in a population.

Allele frequency

The number of times a specific allele occurs in a gene pool compared to the number of times other alleles for it occur.

Genetic drift

A random change in allele frequency due to chance occurrences.

Bottleneck effect

Due to a dramatic reduction in population size (e.g., disease, disaster).

Founder effect

Due to the migration of a small subgroup of the population (colonize new habitat).

Genetic equilibrium

Maintaining the frequency of alleles in a population from one generation to the next; population does NOT evolve.

Directional selection

Individuals at one end of the curve have higher fitness than those in the middle or at the other end.

Stabilizing selection

Individuals in the center of the curve have higher fitness than individuals at either end.

Disruptive selection

Individuals at both ends of the curve have higher fitness than those in the middle.