• how can non-random mating cause evolution in a population? course hero

by Prof. Yadira Fahey 9 min read

Like recombination, non-random mating can act as an ancillary process for natural selection to cause evolution to occur. Any departure from random mating upsets the equilibrium distribution of genotypes in a population. This will occur whether mate selection is positive or negative assortative.

Full Answer

Does random mating increase or decrease evolution?

Non-random mating can change the genotype frequencies in a population, even in the absence of any other evolutionary forces. If you have non-random mating in which individuals mate preferentially with other individuals that have the same genotype, then heterozygosity will decrease, and you can essentially drive your population towards two divergent populations of …

How does non-random mating affect heterozygosity and evolution?

 · See answer (1) Best Answer. Copy. Non-random mating is otherwise known as sexual selection. Some see this as distinct from natural selection, but I think that sexual selection is merely a form of ...

Does random mating change the genotype frequencies in a population?

This is when there is a genetic mistake that causes the entire genome to double . This would cause a variation in the chromosome numbers and can lead to immediate reproductive isolation due to the gametes not being compatible with other members of the population . Polyploidy is a major force in the evolution of both wild and cultivated plants . ...

What is non random mating in humans?

The allele frequency (or gene frequency) is the rate at which a specific allele appears within a population. In population genetics, the term evolution is defined as a change in the frequency of an allele in a population. Frequencies range from 0, present in no individuals, to 1, present in all individuals. The gene pool is the sum of all the ...

What are the factors that cause evolution?

Key factors that can cause evolution: – Small populations are more variable to changes in allele frequencies. -non-random mating opportunities result in only those “preferred” traits being passed onto future populations. – new alleles may be created when mutations occur (changes the frequencies of new and original alleles)

What mutation results in three or more sets of chromosomes in the offspring?

Polyploidy -type of mutation that results in three or more sets of chromosomes in the offspring ( if a haploid gamete combines with a diploid gamete to make an individual that is triploidy) -provides individuals with immediate doubling of genetic information.

What is genetic drift?

Two kinds of Genetic drift in nature: Bottleneck effect- Genetic drift (reduction of alleles in a population ) resulting from a disaster that drastically reduces population size. ex: earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, etc.

What is the term for the reduction of genes on the other chromosomes?

Gene duplication -when unequal crossing over takes place during meiosis resulting in an additional copy in one or more genes and reduction of genes on the other chromosomes

Is mutation a random event?

Only source of new genetic material and new alleles. Since mutations are random events, there is a greater chance that their effects are: neutral (no effect on individuals reproductive success)or harmful (reduces individuals fitness) rather than beneficial ( inheritable changes that improve individual fitness)

When allele frequencies within a population change randomly with no advantage to the population over existing allele frequencies, the phenomenon

When allele frequencies within a population change randomly with no advantage to the population over existing allele frequencies, the phenomenon is called genetic drift . The smaller a population, the more susceptible it is to mechanisms such as genetic drift as alleles are more likely to become fixed at 0 (absent) or 1 (universally present). Random events that alter allele frequencies will have a much larger effect when the gene pool is small. Genetic drift and natural selection usually occur simultaneously in populations, but the cause of the frequency change is often impossible to determine.

How does natural selection affect the population?

Just as mutations cause new traits in a population, natural selection acts on the frequency of those traits. Because there are more organisms than resources, all organisms are in a constant struggle for existence. In natural selection, those individuals with superior traits will be able to produce more offspring.

What is genetic drift?

genetic drift: an overall shift of allele distribution in an isolated population, due to random fluctuations in the frequencies of individual alleles of the genes. fitness: an individual’s ability to propagate its genes. natural selection: a process in which individual organisms or phenotypes that possess favorable traits are more likely ...

What is the transfer of alleles or genes from one population to another?

gene flow : the transfer of alleles or genes from one population to another. genetic hitchhiking: a phenomenon in which a gene increases in a population because it lies near genes on the same chromosome that are advantageous to an organism.

How many generations of genetic drift and gene fixation?

Genetic drift and gene fixation: In this simulation, there is fixation in the blue gene variation within five generations. Images these dots are beetles and some of them are destroyed by a wildfire. As the surviving population changes over time, some traits (red) may be completely eliminated from the population, leaving only the beetles with other traits (blue).

Why do gene frequencies drift?

When selective forces are absent or relatively weak, gene frequencies tend to “drift” due to random events. This drift halts when the variation of the gene becomes “fixed” by either disappearing from the population or replacing the other variations completely. Even in the absence of selective forces, genetic drift can cause two separate populations that began with the same genetic structure to drift apart into two divergent populations.

Why do some organisms survive while others die?

Why do some organisms survive while others die? These surviving organisms generally possess traits or characteristics that bestow benefits that help them survive (e.g., better camouflage, faster swimming, or more efficient digestion). Each of these characteristics is the result of a mutation, or a change in the genetic code. Mutations occur spontaneously, but not all mutations are heritable; they are passed down to offspring only if the mutations occur in the gametes. These heritable mutations are responsible for the rise of new traits in a population.

How does evolution occur?

According to Darwin's theory of evolution, evolution occurs through natural selection operating on populations in ecosystems. - Overproduction- produce more than will survive to insure genes will be passed on. - Competition- better competitor will pass on genes. - Variation- diversity allows for selection.

What is coevolution in biology?

Coevolution- change of 2 different species in close association to each other. (Predator/Prey)

What will happen if an organism is placed in a cold environment?

e. Organisms placed into a cold environment will have an increased rate of mutation in cold adapted alleles.

What is the term for the gradual change of organisms over very long periods of time?

Evolution (Macroevolution) Gradual change of organisms over very long periods of time. Types of Evolution- Coevolution, Convergent, and Divergent (Adaptive Radiation) Coevolution- change of 2 different species in close association to each other.

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