Genetic Drift Vs. Gene Flow

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What is Genetic Drift?

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Genetic Drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles (gene variants) in a population, often having a more significant effect in small populations.

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What is Gene Flow?

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Gene Flow is the transfer of genetic material (alleles) between populations through migration, which can increase genetic diversity.

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How does Genetic Drift affect genetic diversity?

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Genetic Drift can decrease genetic diversity, especially in small populations, as certain alleles may become fixed or lost purely by chance.

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How does Gene Flow affect genetic diversity?

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Gene Flow increases genetic diversity by introducing new alleles into a population, which can enhance adaptability.

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What is an example of Genetic Drift?

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An example of Genetic Drift is the founder effect, where a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic variation.

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What is an example of Gene Flow?

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An example of Gene Flow is when pollen from one population of plants is carried by the wind to fertilize another population, introducing new genetic material.

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What role does population size play in Genetic Drift?

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In smaller populations, Genetic Drift has a more pronounced effect, leading to greater fluctuations in allele frequencies.

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What role does population size play in Gene Flow?

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Gene Flow can occur in any population size, but its effects are more noticeable in smaller populations where new alleles can significantly alter genetic diversity.

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What is the founder effect?

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The founder effect is a type of Genetic Drift that occurs when a small number of individuals from a larger population establish a new population, leading to reduced genetic variation.

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What is the bottleneck effect?

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