gentic drift
Random change in allele frequency due to chance, not natural selection
Genetic drift is a process of random sampling that occurs in a population. It is a mechanism of evolution that leads to changes in gene frequencies and the loss of genetic diversity over time.
Genetic drift occurs when a population becomes small or isolated, reducing the chances of genetic variation. This results in the possibility of certain alleles being lost from the population, while others increase in frequency by chance rather than by natural selection. These changes in allelic frequency may have harmful or beneficial effects on future generations.
There are two types of genetic drift: the founder effect and the bottleneck effect. The founder effect is the result of a few individuals from a population establishing a new population in a geographically isolated area, resulting in a loss of genetic diversity. The bottleneck effect, on the other hand, occurs when a sudden reduction in population size results in a loss of genetic variation due to random events.
In conclusion, genetic drift is an important mechanism of evolution that can lead to changes in the genetic composition of a population over time. It occurs due to chance events and can result in the loss of genetic diversity in a population.
More Answers:
2pq in Genetics: Calculating Heterozygous Frequency with the Hardy-Weinberg Equation.The Bottleneck Effect: Long-term Genetic Consequences on Animal and Plant Populations
The Genetic Impact of Founder Effect in Populations: Genetic Diversity and Rare Disorders