Genetic Diversity and Adaptation
Genetic Diversity and Adaptation
- Genetic diversity refers to the variability of gene alleles in a population.
- Genetic diversity allows natural selection to occur.
- Random mutation can create new gene alleles.
- Most mutations are harmful, but in specific situations, mutations can result in increased reproductive success.
- Beneficial mutations, or alleles, get passed down to succeeding generations.
- Over numerous generations, these advantageous alleles increase in frequency within the population.
- There are different types of selection, such as directional selection (e.g. antibiotic resistance in bacteria) and stabilising selection (e.g. human birth weights.)
- Natural selection results in species becoming better adapted to their environment through anatomical, physiological or behavioural changes.
- Students need to understand and explain how selection impacts changes within a species population.
- Students need to interpret data on how selection influences population changes.
- Understanding adaptation and selection as driving factors in evolution and biodiversity is crucial for students.