Genetic diversity

Question 1

What is genetic diversity?

Answer 1

Number of different alleles of genes in a population.

Question 2

When can natural selection only occur?

Answer 2

Can only occur when there is genetic diversity in a population.

Question 3

What is natural selection ?

Answer 3

The process that leads to evolution in populations. Evolution is the change in allele frequency over many generations in a population. Natural selection results in species becoming better adapted to the environment. Adaptations can be physiological, anatomical or behavioral.

Question 4

What is the process of natural selection?

Answer 4

1. New alleles for a gene are created by random mutations.
2. If the new alleles increases the chances of the individual to survive in that environment, then they are more likely to survive and reproduce.
3. This reproduction passes on the advantageous alleles to the next generation.
4. As a result, over many generations, the new allele increases in frequency in the population.

Question 5

What are the two types of natural selection?

Answer 5

Directional selection and Stabilizing selection.

Question 6

What is directional selection?

Answer 6

One of the extremes has the selective advantage. Occurs when there is a change in the environment. The modal trait changes.
For example, antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Question 7

What is Stabilizing selection?

Answer 7

The modal traits has the selective advantage. Occurs when there is no change in the environment. The modal trait has the same. Standard deviation decreases , as the individuals with the extreme traits decreases.

For example, human birth weights.