Genetic Drift and Gene Flow

Flashcards created for key terms and concepts related to genetic drift and gene flow, important for understanding evolutionary processes.

Genetic Drift

A random change in the frequency of traits, particularly influential in small populations.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic variation from one population to another, often occurring through migration.

Bottleneck Effect

A significant reduction in population size that can lead to a loss of genetic diversity.

Founder Effect

The reduced genetic diversity that occurs when a small number of individuals establish a new population.

Heterozygosity

The presence of different alleles at one or more loci on chromosomes, indicative of genetic diversity.

Population Bottleneck

An event that significantly reduces the size of a population and can restrict its genetic diversity.

Colonization

The act of establishing a new population in a new habitat, often leading to genetic changes.

Population Size (N)

Refers to the number of individuals in a population, affecting the impact of genetic drift.

Inbreeding Depression

Reduced biological fitness due to mating between related individuals, leading to an increase in homozygosity.

Genetic Distance

A measure of how different the genetic make-up is between populations.