Mechanisms for Evolution

Front

What is Gene Flow?

Back

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations, often through migration or interbreeding, which can increase genetic diversity.

Front

Define the Bottleneck Effect.

Back

The bottleneck effect occurs when a population's size is significantly reduced for at least one generation, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.

Front

What is Genetic Drift?

Back

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population, particularly in small populations.

Front

Explain Mutation in the context of evolution.

Back

Mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to new traits in an organism, which may be beneficial, harmful, or neutral.

Front

What is Natural Selection?

Back

Natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Front

Provide an example of Gene Flow.

Back

Wolves from the Arizona mesa were transferred to the Colorado Rockies and interbred with local wolves, introducing new genetic material.

Front

What is Non-random Mating?

Back

Non-random mating occurs when individuals select mates based on specific traits, leading to a change in allele frequencies.

Front

Describe the impact of the Bottleneck Effect on Cheetah populations.

Back

Cheetah populations experienced a bottleneck, resulting in low genetic diversity and increased inbreeding.

Front

What is the significance of mutations in evolution?

Back

Mutations introduce new genetic variations, which can lead to new traits that may be subject to natural selection.

Front

How does Natural Selection differ from Genetic Drift?

Back

Natural selection is a non-random process that favors advantageous traits, while genetic drift is a random process that can lead to changes in allele frequencies.