Genetic Variation and Microevolution

A change in the frequency of alleles within a population, usually over a short time.

The movement of alleles between populations due to the migration of individuals or their gametes (reproductive cells).

The study of allele frequencies in populations and how they change over time.

A change in allele frequency due to random chance, especially significant in small populations.

A mechanism where individuals with similar traits are more likely to mate.

A permanent change in an organism's DNA sequence.

The process where individuals better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

The process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient ancestors, involving changes in gene/allele frequency.

Mutations that occur in non-reproductive cells and are not passed on to offspring.

Mutations that occur in reproductive cells and are passed on to offspring.

Mutations that don't have any noticeable effect on the phenotype of an organism.

Mutations that cause a noticeable change in the phenotype of an organism.

Mutations that cause the death of an organism.

Mutations that occur naturally during DNA replication.

The process of DNA copying during cell division.

The process by which traits become more common in a population due to the successful reproduction of individuals with those traits.

Changes in the composition of a genome due to errors in DNA replication or repair.

The movement of genes between different populations, introducing new genetic variation.

The process of combining genes from two parents, creating new combinations and contributing to genetic variation.

Mutations happen randomly, without regard for their potential benefit or harm to the organism.

Mutations can lead to traits that are beneficial, harmful, or have no effect on an organism's survival or reproduction.

The collection of all the genetic material within a population.

The random fluctuation of gene frequencies in a population, often due to chance events.

The process of genetic drift where a large population experiences a sudden reduction in size, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.

A sudden decrease in population size, often due to a catastrophic event, leading to a reduction in genetic diversity.

A type of genetic drift where a small group of individuals establishes a new population, resulting in reduced genetic variation.

A small number of individuals form a new population, leading to limited genetic diversity compared to the original population.

The influence of genetic drift is more pronounced in small populations compared to large ones, leading to greater changes in gene frequencies.

The effect of genetic drift is relatively less significant in large populations, as random fluctuations in gene frequency are less impactful.

Natural selection is the process where individuals better adapted to their environment have a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, passing those traits to their offspring.

Individuals with traits better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those advantageous traits to their offspring.

Natural selection operates on the principle of differential reproductive success, meaning some individuals reproduce more successfully than others.

Genetic variation is the presence of different genes and alleles within a population, allowing for natural selection to occur.

Natural selection favors those with traits that increase survival and reproduction in a given environment.

Charles Darwin is best known for his groundbreaking theory of evolution by natural selection.

Darwin's observations and theories were significantly impacted by his voyage on the HMS Beagle, where he studied various species and collected specimens.

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was controversial at the time due to its challenge to prevailing religious beliefs about the origin of humans.

How common an allele is within a population, expressed as a percentage or fraction.

Changes in allele frequencies within a population over generations.

The passing down of traits from parents to offspring, with inherited factors remaining unchanged.

The study of how allele frequencies change in populations over time.

A state where a population's allele and genotype frequencies remain stable across generations, indicating no evolution is occurring.

The mechanism by which Darwin explained how traits are passed on from generation to generation.

The Austrian monk who revolutionized our understanding of genetics.