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Chapter 27: Problem 10

What evolutionary factors can cause allele frequencies to change and possibly lead to a genetic polymorphism? Discuss the relative importance of each type of process.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The evolutionary factors resulting in the change of allele frequencies includes natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation. Each contributes to genetic polymorphism, but natural selection potentially has the most influential role because it operates directly on survival and reproduction.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Problem

Genetic polymorphism can be the result of various evolutionary factors causing changes in allele frequencies. Allele frequencies refer to the number of times an allele occurs in a gene pool compared to the total number of alleles for that particular gene among all individuals in a species. These evolutionary factors include natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation.
02

Discuss Natural Selection

Natural selection results in the adjustment of frequencies of alleles based on their contribution to the fitness of organisms. Alleles that increase the survival and reproduction rate of organisms in a specific environment are more likely to be passed on to the next generation. As such, the frequency of these beneficial alleles may increase within the population over generations.
03

Discuss Genetic Drift

Genetic drift is a random process where the frequency of an allele changes due to chance. It is independent of an allele's influence on reproduction and survival, and it often has a significant impact in small populations.
04

Discuss Gene Flow

Gene flow includes the movement of alleles between populations. When individuals migrate and reproduce, they can introduce new alleles to their new population, which can alter allele frequencies.
05

Discuss Mutation

Mutation is the process by which new genetic variability is introduced in a gene pool. Even though mutation rates are generally low, they can still contribute to changing allele frequencies by introducing new alleles.
06

Discuss the relative importance of each process

All these processes can influence allele frequencies and, subsequently, genetic polymorphism. However, the relative importance of each process can vary. For instance, natural selection has a potent effect in directing the change in allele frequencies. Genetic drift may have a significant impact, particularly in small populations. Gene flow can be crucial in preventing populations from diverging, while mutations are slow but a constant source of new alleles.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive autosomal disorder. In certain populations of Northern European descent, the number of people born with this disorder is about 1 in 2500. Assuming HardyWeinberg equilibrium for this trait: A. What are the frequencies for the normal and \(\mathrm{CF}\) alleles? B. What are the genotype frequencies of homozygous normal, heterozygous, and homozygous affected individuals? C. Assuming random mating, what is the probability that two phenotypically unaffected heterozygous carriers will choose each other as mates?

The term polymorphism can refer to both genes and traits. Explain what is meant by a polymorphic gene and a polymorphic trait. If a gene is polymorphic, does the trait that the gene affects also have to be polymorphic? Explain why or why not.

For a gene existing in two alleles, what are the allele frequencies when the heterozygote frequency is at its maximum value, assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? What if there are three alleles?

What is Darwinian fitness? What types of characteristics can promote high fitness values? Give several examples.

Why is genetic drift more significant in small populations? Why does it take longer for genetic drift to cause allele fixation in large populations than in small ones?
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