7.2.1

Populations

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Species and Populations

A population is defined as all the individuals of a species living within a specific area. Individuals in the same species can interbreed.

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Species

  • A species is a group of individual organisms that interbreed and produce fertile, viable offspring.
  • According to this definition, one species is distinguished from another when matings between individuals from each species do not produce fertile offspring.
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One population

  • When organisms of the same species occupy a particular space at a particular time, they form a population.
    • Individuals in the population can potentially interbreed.
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Multiple populations

  • Multiple populations may live in the same specific area.
    • E.g. a forest includes populations of flowering plants, pine trees, insects and microorganisms.
  • There can also be multiple populations of the same species.
    • E.g. there are populations of pine trees throughout the Northern hemisphere.

Gene Pool and Allele Frequency

Gene pool and allele frequency are key terms for understanding populations.

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Gene pool

  • The gene pool is the sum of all the alleles in a population.
  • Every individual has a different combination of alleles in their chromosomes.
  • Populations of a species share a gene pool.
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Allele frequency

  • Allele frequency is the rate at which a specific allele appears within a population.
  • If an allele is particularly advantageous for survival, an individual that possesses it will be more likely to reproduce than an individual that does not.
  • This means the allele is more likely to be passed onto its offspring.
  • Over time, this allele will likely increase in frequency.

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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