Population genetics is the study of genetic variation within populations and involves the examination of changes in the frequencies of genes and alleles over time.
What is the Hardy-Weinberg principle?
The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences.
Name the five main conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
The conditions are: no mutations, random mating, no natural selection, extremely large population size, and no gene flow.
What is genetic drift?
Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that leads to random changes in allele frequencies, especially in small populations.
How does gene flow affect a population's genetics?
Gene flow, or migration, introduces new alleles into a population, increasing genetic variation and potentially altering allele frequencies.
Define the term 'bottleneck effect.'
The bottleneck effect occurs when a population's size is significantly reduced for at least one generation, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.
What is the founder effect?
The founder effect is when a new population is established by a very small number of individuals, leading to a reduced genetic diversity from the original population.
Explain genetic variation in populations.
Genetic variation refers to the diversity in gene frequencies, and it's crucial for a population's ability to adapt and survive environmental changes.
What is an allele frequency?
Allele frequency is the relative proportion of an allele at a particular gene locus in a population.
What does 'fixation index' (Fst) measure in population genetics?
The fixation index (Fst) measures genetic differentiation among populations by comparing genetic variance among them.
How can mutations impact population genetics?
Mutations introduce new genetic variations into a population, providing the raw material for evolution and adaptation.
Differentiate between directional and stabilizing selection in population genetics.
Directional selection favors one extreme trait over others, while stabilizing selection favors average traits, reducing variation.
What role does non-random mating play in population genetics?
Non-random mating affects genotype frequencies by increasing homozygosity or heterozygosity, depending on the type (positive or negative assortative mating).
Why is population genetics important in conservation biology?
Population genetics helps identify genetic diversity levels, guiding conservation efforts to maintain or enhance diversity and adaptability.
Describe the concept of heterozygosity in population genetics.
Heterozygosity is the presence of different alleles at a gene locus for an individual, reflecting genetic variation within a population.