Calculating genetic biodiversity

• what are factors that increase genetic biodiversity?

  • interbreeding between different populations - transfer of alleles
  • mutations in DNA, creating a new allele
• what are factors that decrease genetic diversity?

  • rare breeds - low numbers
  • artificial cloning - asexual reproduction
  • natural selection - loss of less advantageous alleles
  • captive breeding programmes - small number of species available for breeding
  • selective breeding
• what is a monomorphic gene?

  gene with only one allele e.g. insulin
• what is a polymorphic gene?

  gene with more than one allele e.g. blood grouping