Calculating Genetic Biodiversity

Question 1

What is a polymorphic gene locus?

Answer 1

gene locus with more than one allele (option)

Question 2

What is a monomorphic gene locus?

Answer 2

gene locus with one allele

Question 3

What is an allele?

Answer 3

version or variation of a gene e.g. t = tall T = dwarf

Question 4

What is a locus?

Answer 4

location of a gene on a chromosome

Question 5

What is the equation to calculate genetic biodiversity?

Answer 5

proportion of polymorphic gene loci = number of polymorphic gene loci / total number of gene loci

Question 6

Why do we calculate genetic biodiversity?

Answer 6

to compare the genetic biodiversity of reproductive isolated population
monitor genetic biodiversity of: captive breeding programs, rare breeds,
pedigree animals

if too low, steps can be taken to increase genetic biodiversity - transfer males between zoo’s

Question 7

What should the results show?

Answer 7

value is always less than 1

Question 8

What does a high value show?

Answer 8

the more genetically biodiverse the population -

greater variety of alleles, greater variety of phenotypes, selective advantage if environment changes , stable population

Question 9

What does a low value show?

Answer 9

less genetically biodiverse the population will be

• not a stable population
  susceptible to disease / extinction