Population Genetics Skeleton Notes

• Gene Pool - combined alleles of all the individuals of a population
• Genetic variations is stored in a populations's gene pool
• Equilibrium is unlikely because of mutations and natural selection
• Solution - lots of diversity
• Allele Frequency - measure of how common a certain allele is in a population
• Genetic Equilibrium - certain things have to happen for evolution not to occur
• Population - group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area
• Sources of genetic variation in individuals:

  • Recombination
  • Mutations
  • Horizontal Gene Transfer
• Sources of genetic variations in populations:

  • mutations
  • Immigration
  • Natural Selection
• Natural selection acts on the phenotypes of individuals
• Evolution - any change in the relative frequency of alleles in a gene pool
• Evolution takes many years and generations to occur
• Geographical Isolation - physical barrier blocking
• Behavioral Isolation - certain behaviors blocking
• Temporal Isolation - species mating at certain times of the year
• Mechanical Isolation - not having the compatible sex organs to reproduce
• Genetic Drift - random changes in allele frequency
• Small populations are affected more by genetic drift
• Gene Flow - movement of alleles from one population to another
• Gene flow increases the genetic variation of receiving population