Genetic diversity and adaptation

• All members of the same species have the same genes located at the same loci on their chromosomes
• The greater the number of alleles, the greater the genetic diversity
• How reproductive success affect allele frequency

  1. Organisms produce more offspring than can be supported
  2. Despite overproduction of offspring, most populations remain constant in size
• How reproductive success affect allele frequency

  1. Organisms produce more offspring than can be supported
  2. Despite overproduction of offspring, most populations remain constant in size
  3. Random mutations of alleles mean some individuals will possess combinations of alleles that make them more likely to survive
  4. Only those individuals that survive and successfully reproduce will pass on their alleles
  5. Therefore it is the new alleles that are more likely to pass on the alleles to the next generation
  6. Over many generations, more individuals have these advantageous alleles