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Biology > Allele Frequencies In Populations > Flashcards

Allele Frequencies In Populations Flashcards

1
Q

What is an allele?

A

An allele is a variant form of a gene.

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2
Q

Define allele frequency.

A

Allele frequency is the proportion of a specific allele among all allele copies in a population.

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3
Q

True or False: Allele frequencies can change over time.

A

True.

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4
Q

What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?

A

The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences.

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5
Q

Fill in the blank: The equation for the Hardy-Weinberg principle is ___ + 2pq + q^2 = 1.

A

p^2

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6
Q

What do the variables p and q represent in the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

A

p represents the frequency of the dominant allele, and q represents the frequency of the recessive allele.

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7
Q

True or False: A population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is evolving.

A

False.

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8
Q

List one condition necessary for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

A

A large population size.

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9
Q

What is genetic drift?

A

Genetic drift is the change in allele frequencies due to random sampling effects, particularly in small populations.

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10
Q

What is the effect of natural selection on allele frequencies?

A

Natural selection can increase the frequency of beneficial alleles and decrease the frequency of harmful alleles.

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11
Q

Fill in the blank: Mutation introduces new ___ into a population.

A

alleles

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12
Q

What is gene flow?

A

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations through migration.

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13
Q

True or False: Gene flow can increase genetic diversity within a population.

A

True.

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14
Q

What is a bottleneck effect?

A

The bottleneck effect is a sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

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15
Q

What is founder effect?

A

Founder effect occurs when a small group from a population establishes a new population, resulting in a limited gene pool.

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16
Q

What is the significance of allele frequencies in population genetics?

A

Allele frequencies are used to understand genetic variation, evolution, and population structure.

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17
Q

True or False: Allele frequencies are the same in all populations.

A

False.

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18
Q

What does it mean if an allele is said to be fixed in a population?

A

An allele is fixed in a population when its frequency is 100%.

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19
Q

Fill in the blank: The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is maintained under the assumption of ___ mating.

A

random

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20
Q

What is the role of sexual reproduction in allele frequencies?

A

Sexual reproduction shuffles alleles, promoting genetic variation and influencing allele frequencies.

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21
Q

What is an example of a factor that can disrupt Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

A

Natural selection.

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22
Q

True or False: In a population undergoing genetic drift, allele frequencies can fluctuate significantly over time.

A

True.

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23
Q

What type of selection favors extreme phenotypes?

A

Directional selection.

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24
Q

Fill in the blank: In stabilizing selection, the intermediate phenotype has a ___ fitness.

A

higher

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25
Q

What is disruptive selection?

A

Disruptive selection favors individuals at both extremes of the phenotypic range.

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26
Q

What does the term ‘genetic variation’ refer to?

A

Genetic variation refers to the diversity of alleles and genotypes within a population.

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27
Q

What is the impact of inbreeding on allele frequencies?

A

Inbreeding can increase the frequency of harmful recessive alleles and reduce genetic diversity.

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28
Q

True or False: Environmental changes can lead to shifts in allele frequencies.

A

True.

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29
Q

What is the purpose of calculating allele frequencies in conservation biology?

A

To assess genetic diversity and inform breeding programs for endangered species.

30
Q

Fill in the blank: The measure of genetic diversity in a population is called ___ diversity.

A

allelic

31
Q

What is the impact of habitat fragmentation on allele frequencies?

A

Habitat fragmentation can reduce gene flow and increase genetic drift, leading to changes in allele frequencies.

32
Q

What is an example of a mutation that can affect allele frequency?

A

A point mutation that confers resistance to a disease.

33
Q

True or False: All mutations are beneficial.

A

False.

34
Q

What is the relationship between population size and genetic drift?

A

Genetic drift has a more pronounced effect in smaller populations.

35
Q

Fill in the blank: The frequency of an allele is calculated as the number of copies of that allele divided by the total number of ___ for that gene.

A

alleles

36
Q

What is the significance of studying allele frequencies in human populations?

A

To understand human genetic diversity, disease susceptibility, and evolutionary history.

37
Q

What is the term for the genetic makeup of an individual?

A

Genotype.

38
Q

True or False: Phenotype is influenced solely by genotype.

A

False.

39
Q

What is the definition of a polymorphism?

A

A polymorphism is the occurrence of two or more distinct alleles at a locus in a population.

40
Q

Fill in the blank: The study of allele frequencies is a key component of ___ genetics.

A

population

41
Q

What is the effect of selective pressure on allele frequencies?

A

Selective pressure can lead to an increase in the frequency of advantageous alleles.

42
Q

What is a quantitative trait?

A

A quantitative trait is a trait that is influenced by multiple genes and can be measured on a continuous scale.

43
Q

True or False: All traits are controlled by a single gene.

A

False.

44
Q

What is the relationship between allele frequency and evolutionary change?

A

Changes in allele frequency over time indicate evolutionary change within a population.

45
Q

Fill in the blank: The process by which one species evolves into two or more species is called ___ speciation.

A

adaptive

46
Q

What is the role of recombination in allele frequency?

A

Recombination creates new allele combinations, contributing to genetic diversity and potentially affecting allele frequencies.

47
Q

What is the significance of studying allele frequencies in agriculture?

A

To select for desirable traits and improve crop and livestock breeds.

48
Q

True or False: Allele frequencies are static and do not change.

A

False.

49
Q

What is the main factor that maintains genetic diversity in a population?

A

Gene flow.

50
Q

Fill in the blank: A population with low genetic diversity is more susceptible to ___ pressures.

A

environmental

51
Q

What does it mean if an allele is considered to be at a frequency of 0?

A

It means that the allele is not present in the population.

52
Q

What is the relationship between allele frequency and fitness?

A

Allele frequency can be influenced by the fitness of the alleles, with higher fitness alleles becoming more common.

53
Q

True or False: Genetic variation is essential for a population’s ability to adapt to changing environments.

A

True.

54
Q

What is the primary method for measuring allele frequencies?

A

Genetic analysis through DNA sequencing or genotyping.

55
Q

Fill in the blank: The study of allele frequencies helps in understanding ___ evolution.

A

micro

56
Q

What is the potential impact of climate change on allele frequencies?

A

Climate change can alter selective pressures, leading to shifts in allele frequencies as populations adapt.

57
Q

What is the definition of a fixed allele?

A

A fixed allele is one that is the only variant present in a population at a specific locus.

58
Q

True or False: The founder effect can lead to reduced genetic variation.

A

True.

59
Q

What is the result of positive selection on allele frequencies?

A

Positive selection increases the frequency of advantageous alleles.

60
Q

Fill in the blank: A population undergoing ___ selection will have a decrease in allele diversity.

A

directional

61
Q

What is the effect of negative selection on deleterious alleles?

A

Negative selection tends to decrease the frequency of deleterious alleles.

62
Q

What is the significance of allele frequency data in medicine?

A

It helps identify genetic predispositions to diseases and informs public health strategies.

63
Q

True or False: Genetic tools can help track changes in allele frequencies over time.

A

True.

64
Q

What is the role of environmental factors in shaping allele frequencies?

A

Environmental factors can create selective pressures that influence which alleles are favored in a population.

65
Q

Fill in the blank: The study of allele frequencies contributes to our understanding of ___ diversity.

A

biodiversity

66
Q

What is the relationship between allele frequency and population structure?

A

Population structure can influence allele frequencies due to varying levels of gene flow and genetic drift.

67
Q

True or False: Allele frequencies can be influenced by human activity.

A

True.

68
Q

What is the purpose of conservation genetics?

A

To maintain and restore genetic diversity in endangered species populations.

69
Q

Fill in the blank: Genetic diversity is essential for a population’s ___ to survive environmental changes.

A

ability

70
Q

What is a locus?

A

A locus is the specific physical location of a gene or allele on a chromosome.

Biology (28 decks)

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