Evolution and Genetic Drift Flashcard

Front

What is the founder effect?

Back

A process where a small group starts a new population.

Front

In the context of genetic drift, what is more likely to happen in small populations?

Back

Random changes in allele frequencies.

Front

What is genetic drift?

Back

A random change in heritable traits of a population over generations.

Front

What is natural selection?

Back

A mechanism of evolution where the fittest traits are selected.

Front

What is the bottleneck effect?

Back

A major disaster that significantly reduces population size.

Front

Define evolution.

Back

The change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Front

What is allele frequency?

Back

The relative frequency of an allele (variant of a gene) at a genetic locus in a population.

Front

Explain the concept of adaptation.

Back

A trait that increases an organism's fitness in its environment.

Front

What is genetic variation?

Back

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals within a population.

Front

Define speciation.

Back

The process by which new species arise from existing species.