Glossary Key points

gene flow Gene flow occurs between two different interbreeding populations that have different allele frequencies.
Gene flow may change allele frequencies in either or both populations through a “flow,” or movement, of genes (alleles).

non-random mating During non-random mating, individuals in a population select mates, often on the basis of their phenotypes.
Non-random mating increases the proportion of homozygous individuals in a population, but does not affect the frequencies of alleles.

genetic drift In small populations, the frequencies of certain alleles can be changed by chance alone. This is called genetic drift.

effect bottleneck Gene pool change that results from a rapid decrease in population size is known as the bottleneck effect

Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate phenotype and acts against extreme variants of the phenotype.

directional selection favors the phenotypes at one extreme over the other. This type of selection is common during times of environmental change or when a population migrates
to a new habitat that has different environmental conditions and niches to exploit

selection disruptive takes place when the extremes of a range of phenotypes are favored over intermediate phenotypes. As a result, intermediate phenotypes can be eliminated
from the population

sexual selection The different phenotypes (forms) of the male coho salmon are also a specific example
of natural selection referred to as sexual selection. In general, sexual selection involves competition between males through combat or through visual
displays

Founder effect The gene pool change that occurs when a few individuals start a new, isolated population is called the founder effect.
Assigned questions

1. Why does gene flow increase diversity in one population of a species while at the same time Increases diversity within a population; reduces differences among populations.
2. Describe how non-random mating differs from random mating. Use the concept of preferred phenotypes to explain why random mating in nature is uncommon.Non-random mating involves mate
choice based on certain traits, creating preferred phenotypes; random mating is uncommon due to mate preferences in nature.
3. Why are small populations more susceptible to genetic drift than large populations?Small populations more susceptible to genetic drift due to chance events influencing allele frequencies.
4. Describe the impact of the founder effect on the gene pool of a population.Reduces genetic diversity in a population started by a small number of individuals.
5. Explain why microevolution applies to populations but not to individual organisms Microevolution applies to populations, not individuals, as it involves changes in allele frequencies over generations.
6. DNA analysis of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) shows little or no genetic variation among individuals. This evidence suggests that their populations declined sharply in the past, and that all the cheetahs alive
today are descendants of the survivors.Little genetic variation indicates a past sharp population decline and descent from survivors.
7. Explain why skin that is transplanted from one cheetah to another is rejected only about 50 percent of the time. (Normally, skin that is transplanted from one individual of a species to another individual of
the same species is rejected 100 percent of the time, unless the two individuals are identical twins.) 50% rejection suggests some genetic similarity, not complete, possibly due to shared ancestral
alleles.
8. Which of the mechanisms that change allele frequencies in populations likely applies to cheetahs? (More than one mechanism may apply.) Explain your answer Genetic drift and founder effect likely;
limited gene flow and small populations contribute..
9. In what ways might the lack of genetic diversity in cheetahs put their populations at risk? Suggest a human action that could be taken to increase the genetic diversity of cheetahs.Risks include
susceptibility to diseases and environmental changes; human action: controlled breeding programs.
10. Predict what might happen to the diversity of a gene pool if individuals with rare alleles migrate from the population.Introduction of individuals with rare alleles increases gene pool diversity.
11. Describe the role of mutation in evolutionary changes within a population Generates genetic variation; contributes to evolutionary changes within a population..

Extension

A population of deer ia isolated in a park ,the deer cannot mix with other populations. If this park were connected to another park and the deer were able to mix, what would happen to the gene pools of the two
populations? Use a diagram to support your answer.

Before Connection:

Park A: ------[ Deer Population A ]------- After Connection: After Mixing:

Park B: ------[ Deer Population B ]------- Park A: ------[ Deer Population A ]----- Park A: ------[ Deer Population A/B Mix ]-------

Park B: ------[ Deer Population B ]------- Park A: ------[ Deer Population A/B Mix ]-------

After the connection, gene flow occurs between the two populations, leading to a mixed population in both parks. This mixing can result in increased genetic diversity in each population, as alleles are
exchanged between previously isolated groups.

An imaginary population of mouse-like “meeps” lives in tunnels under a vegetable garden, which is the source of their food. About 80 percent of the meeps have green fur, and the rest have gray fur. One summer, a dust
storm covers the garden with a coating of grey-brown soil. The people who tend the garden can now easily see the green meeps and are better able to trap and remove them humanely to protect their crops. Predict at
least one outcome of this situation on the microevolution of this population of meeps as time passes. (Assume that similar dust storms happen every few years.)

Over time, the frequency of gray-furred meeps is likely to increase in the population. The selective advantage of gray fur during dust storms makes it more likely for gray-furred individuals to survive and reproduce, leading to a
higher proportion of gray fur alleles in subsequent generations. This is an example of natural selection favoring traits that enhance survival in a specific environmental context.