Mechanisms of Evolution Flashcard

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What is gene flow?

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Gene flow is the movement of alleles from one population to another, which can change allele frequencies in a population.

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What is natural selection?

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

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What is genetic drift?

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Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequency caused by chance occurrences, often having a more significant effect in small populations.

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What is the founder effect?

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The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals migrates to a new area, leading to a new population with a limited genetic diversity.

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What is a mutation?

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A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism, which can lead to new traits or variations.

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How does natural selection lead to evolution?

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Natural selection leads to evolution by favoring traits that enhance survival and reproduction, gradually changing the population over generations.

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What role does genetic variation play in evolution?

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Genetic variation provides the raw material for evolution, allowing populations to adapt to changing environments.

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What is the difference between gene flow and genetic drift?

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Gene flow involves the movement of alleles between populations, while genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies within a population.

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Can mutations be beneficial?

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Yes, mutations can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful, and beneficial mutations can provide an advantage in survival and reproduction.

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What is stabilizing selection?

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Stabilizing selection is a type of natural selection that favors average phenotypes and reduces variation.