Genetic Diversity and Adaptation Flashcards Preview

Biology-9-Genetic Diversity > Genetic Diversity and Adaptation > Flashcards

Flashcards in Genetic Diversity and Adaptation Deck (6)
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1
Q

What is genetic diversity

A

It’s described as the total number of different alleles in a population

2
Q

What’s a population

A

A group of individuals of the same species that live in the same place and can interbreed

3
Q

If the diversity is greater, is there a better or lower chance of some individuals surviving an environmental change. Why?

A

Better chance of surviving

As there is a wider range of alleles and therefore a wider range of characteristics

4
Q

In terms of Alleles, when is genetic diversity reduced

A

When a species has fewer different alleles

5
Q

Why are not all alleles of a population equally likely to be passed to the next generation

A

As only certain individuals are reproductively successful and so pass on their alleles

6
Q

How does reproductive success of individuals affect allele frequency in populations

A

In a population there will be a gene pool ( the total number of alleles in a particular population at a specific time) containing a wide variety of alleles

Random mutation of allele in a gene pool may result in a new allele ( most cases harmful)

In certain environments, the new allele or a gene might give its possessor an advantage over other individuals in a population

These individuals will be better adapted and therefore more likely to survive in their competition with others

More likely to obtain available resources and so grow more rapidly and live longer. They will have a better chance of breeding successfully and producing offspring

Only those that reproduce successfully will pass on their alleles to the next generation

So as this is an advantageous allele it is most likely to be passed on to the next generation. So are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Over generations, number of individuals with the new advantageous allele will increase at the expense of the individuals with the less advantageous allele

Over time frequency of advantageous allele in population increases and other decreases