Genetic Variation Flashcards
Genetic variation
Members of the same species can be varied because of a slightly different versions of the same gene
Allele
An allele is a version of a gene
Mutation
Mutations are spontaneous random changes to the genetic material of organisms
What is the only way new alleles are added to a population
Mutations
Mutagenic agents
Environmental factors that increase mutation rates
Importance of mutations / variations
Makes it possible for a population to evolve over time in response to changing environmental conditions
Importance of mutations / variations
Makes it possible for a population to evolve over time in response to changing environmental conditions
An adaptation
An inherited characteristic is hay makes an organism well suited to survival in its environment/ niche
Natural selection
Species produce more offspring than the environment can sustain
Natural selection occurs when there are selection pressures
Selection pressure examples
-food availability
-disease
-predation
-climate
Speciation
Speciation is where two or more species are formed from one original species
Steps of speciation
1.isolation
2.mutation
3.natural selection
4.new species
Isolation
Population separated by a barrier
Mutation
Different mutations occur in each subpopulation
Natural selection
Selects for different mutations in each group due to selection pressures
New species
Each sun population evolves until they become so genetically different that they are two different species
