Inheritance

• Variation:

  • arises due to changes in the genetic code
  • vital for natural selection
  • can be caused by the environment or genetics
• Hardy-Weinberg:

  • p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1
  • p + q = 1
  • always start with recessive population
  • assumes diploid organisms, large isolated population, no mutations, no selection pressures
• Gene flow: movement of alleles between populations
• Genetic drift: small populations are affected greater by the appearance of new alleles
• Large populations:

  • lots of genetic diversity
  • variation within population
  • large population can adapt over time to changes
• Genetic bottleneck: A reduction in the gene pool size due to a sudden reduction in the population size.
• Founder effect: The process by which a small number of individuals from a population found a new habitat and established a new population
• Stabilising selection: selection that favours individuals with intermediate phenotypes.
• Directional selection: selection that favors one allele over another. the common phenotype is no longer the most advantageous