What is it called when genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene?

What is it called when genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene?

Understanding:

•  A gene pool consists of all the genes and their different alleles, present in an interbreeding population

    
Gene Pools

A gene pool represents the sum total of alleles for all genes present in a sexually reproducing population

  • A large gene pool indicates high amounts of genetic diversity, increasing the chances of biological fitness and survival
  • A small gene pool indicates low amounts of genetic diversity, reducing biological fitness and increasing chances of extinction


Gene pools can be used to determine allele frequency – the proportion of a particular allele within a population

Representation of a Gene Pool

What is it called when genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene?

What is it called when genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene?

Understanding:

•  Evolution requires that allele frequencies change with time in populations

    
Evolution is the cumulative change in the heritable characteristics of a population across successive generations

  • This requires that allele frequencies change within the gene pool of the population to reflect these evolving characteristics

Mechanisms of Change

Changes to allele frequency within a gene pool (evolution) can result from five key processes:

  • Mutation:  A random change in the genetic composition of an organism due to changes in the DNA base sequence
  • Gene flow:  The movement of alleles into, or out of, a population as a result of immigration or emigration
  • Sexual reproduction:  Sex can introduce new gene combinations and alter allele frequencies if mating is assortative
  • Genetic drift:  The change in the composition of a gene pool as a result of a chance or random event
  • Natural selection:  The change in the composition of a gene pool as a result of differentially selective environmental pressures

Mechanisms for Changing Allele Frequency within a Gene Pool

What is it called when genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene?

TedEd Talks:  The Five Fingers of Evolution

  • Individuals of a species have similar characteristics but they are rarely identical, the difference between them is called variation.
  • Genetic variation is a result of subtle differences in our DNA.
  • Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced ‘snips’) are the most common type of genetic variation amongst people.
  • Each single nucleotide polymorphism represents a difference in a single DNA base, A, C, G or T, in a person’s DNA. On average they occur once in every 300 bases and are often found in the DNA between genes.
  • Genetic variation results in different forms, or alleles, of genes. For example, if we look at eye colour, people with blue eyes have one allele of the gene for eye colour, whereas people with brown eyes will have a different allele of the gene.
  • Eye colour, skin tone and face shape are all determined by our genes so any variation that occurs will be due to the genes inherited from our parents.
  • In contrast, although weight is partly influenced by our genetics, it is strongly influenced by our environment. For example, how much we eat and how often we exercise.
  • Genetic variation can also explain some differences in disease susceptibility and how people react to drugs.
  • Genetic variation is important in evolution. Evolution relies on genetic variation that is passed down from one generation to the next. Favourable characteristics are ‘selected’ for, survive and are passed on. This is known as natural selection.

This page was last updated on 2021-07-21

What is it called when genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene?

updated: September 8, 2022

Definition

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution characterized by random fluctuations in the frequency of a particular version of a gene (allele) in a population. Though it primarily affects small, isolated populations, the effects of genetic drift can be strong, sometimes causing traits to become overwhelmingly frequent or to disappear from a population.

Narration

Genetic Drift. Genetic drift is the change in frequency of an existing gene variant in the population due to random chance. Genetic drift may cause gene variants to disappear completely and thereby reduce genetic variation. It could also cause initially rare alleles to become much more frequent, and even fixed.

What is it called when genetic variation can arise from a random change in the DNA of a gene?

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What is it called when there is a random change in DNA?

A mutation is a change in the sequence of genetic letters, called bases, within a molecule of DNA.

What term describes a genetic variation due to a random change in the DNA of a gene?

What is genetic drift? Genetic drift is change in allele frequencies in a population from generation to generation that occurs due to chance events. To be more exact, genetic drift is change due to "sampling error" in selecting the alleles for the next generation from the gene pool of the current generation.

What is genetic variation in DNA?

Genetic variation is the difference in DNA sequences between individuals within a population. Variation occurs in germ cells i.e. sperm and egg, and also in somatic (all other) cells.

What are the 4 types of genetic variation?

Today's Key Variants.
Single-nucleotide Polymorphisms/Single-nucleotide Variations (SNP/SNVs) ... .
Indels. ... .
Copy Number Variations. ... .
Translocations and Inversions..