Genetic Variation- Module 8

    A general statement to explain why genetic variation is maintained is because populations are constantly adapting and evolving. Some mechanisms that contribute to that include mutation, migration, and gene flow. Even small differences in the environments of populations cause them to adapt; for example, something small like the variation among the coloring of leaves can cause organisms of the same species to look different in terms of camouflage (being different shades would allow them to be better fit for their respective environments). As we saw in our previous R exercise, the mice varied in the color of their fur depending on if the lived near the coast or more inland. Their coloring and adaptation would vary in their genetic makeup even if it is a slight difference.

    With mutations, we know that they produce changes in the DNA. When new alleles are introduced, there is more diversity overall. Since they create new sequences in DNA and mutations are generally common, there is a fairly constant emergence of new sequences that will eventually get passed down the generations. Additionally, recombination allows for offspring to gain traits that differ from their parents, which promotes more diversity.

    As organisms migrate to find more favorable living conditions and move to a new habitat, there is more transfer of genetic material between the populations. Migration can contribute to gene flow; the introduction of new genes among a population increases variation. Some other examples of gene flow include introduction of a new species and pollen transfer. Even though older alleles may be lost or deleted, new ones are continuously emerging with these ongoing processes.

Comments

  1. Melissa BryanMarch 25, 2021 at 12:48 PM

    Hello Prutha!

    Relating this post to our R Exercise helped to support your statements in this post. I agreee mutations and recombination are especially important to promoting genetic diversity. I had not thought of pollen transfer as a source of gene flow!

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  2. Lola PlumMarch 26, 2021 at 9:20 PM

    Hi Prutha! I think you did a great job getting straight to the point about what plays a key role in maintaining genetic variation. Your examples and solid and I agree with Melissa that using the R exercise examples is a great way to look at it. I really think you hit all of the points and find it so interesting that we can apply a lot of the information we have learned since the beginning of the semester. I can tell you truly understand the topics and can apply them with great examples!

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  3. Benjamin RamseyMarch 29, 2021 at 3:39 PM

    Prutha, great job on your post! I think you gave some great examples of how variance can be promoted in a population. I think it is very important that you pointed out how new alleles are always being introduced, even if some are being removed-- this helps maintain a variance balance in the population.

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