Genetic Diversity
Biology: AQA A Level, topic 4.4.1
Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity is the degree of variation in the genes that exist in a certain population.
Alleles
- There can be multiple versions of a specific gene.
- The multiple versions of a gene are called alleles.
- The greater the number of different alleles in a population, the greater the genetic diversity in that population.
Increasing genetic diversity
- Genetic diversity in a population is increased in two ways:
- Mutations (creation of new alleles).
- Gene flow (introduction of new alleles by migration).
Natural selection
- The presence of genetic variation in a population allows natural selection to take place.
- Natural selection acts on a population to increase the frequency of advantageous alleles (alleles that increase the chance of survival) and decreases the frequency of harmful alleles (alleles that decrease the chance of survival).
Test yourself on Genetic Diversity
How is genetic diversity increased in a population?
Which of the following statements about genetic diversity are true?
Which of these does NOT increase genetic diversity?