gene variation over time quick check 5 of 5

1 answer

1. Genetic variation in populations can change over time due to factors such as natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutation.
2. Natural selection refers to the process by which certain traits become more common in a population over time because they provide a reproductive advantage.
3. Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies in a population due to chance events, such as a small group of individuals founding a new population.
4. Gene flow occurs when individuals from one population migrate and breed with individuals from another population, resulting in the transfer of genetic variation between populations.
5. Mutation is the ultimate source of genetic variation and occurs when there is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism. Mutations can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral in terms of their effects on an organism's fitness.