3. Genetic Diversity - The founder Effect

Question 1

Define founder effect.

Answer 1

The reduction in genetic diversity that occurs when just a few organisms from a population start a new colony.

Question 2

What happens during the founder effect?

Answer 2

A few organisms from a population start a new colony ad there are only a small number if different alleles in initial gene pool.

Question 3

What happens to the frequency of alleles in the new colony?

Answer 3

It may be very different to the frequency of the alleles in the original population.
eg allele which was rare in original population may be more common in new colony - leading to a higher incidence of genetic diseases.

Question 4

Name 2 ways the founder effect can occur?

Answer 4

As a result of migration leading to a geographical separation.
If a new colony is separated from original population eg for religion.

Question 5

EXAMPLE.

Where has the Amish population from North American from?

Answer 5

Sweden.

Only a small number of people migrated to North America.

Question 6

EXAMPLE.

What does the Amish population show?

Answer 6

Little genetic diversity as they have remained isolated from the surrounding population due to religion beliefs,
Only a few new alleles introduced.

Question 7

EXAMPLE.

Due to the little genetic diversity, what has happened to the Amish population?

Answer 7

It has an unusually high incidence of certain genetic disorders.