The effects of changing allele frequencies
Genetic diversity refers to the level of genetic variation within a gene pool, allowing a population to be resilient to environmental changes.
Various events can significantly affect a population's genetic diversity. Increased genetic diversity reduces the chance of extinction by increasing variation within a population. However, it may also lead to biological consequences like the introduction of new alleles that may cause genetic disorders.
Conversely, decreased genetic diversity leads to limited variation, making organisms more vulnerable to changes in selective pressures, increasing the chance of extinction.
Genetic diversity is a crucial factor in determining a population's resilience to environmental changes.
Biological consequences of changing allele frequencies
High genetic diversity within populations
Populations that are large, exhibit high gene flow , and have mutations occurring within their gene pool are more likely to adapt to changing environments.
This is because there is a greater movement of alleles in and out of the population, along with changes to DNA resulting in new alleles, which provide a greater potential for individuals to have a selective advantage against changes in their environment.
Low genetic diversity within populations
Small populations with limited gene flow and high inbreeding rates tend to have reduced genetic diversity. This makes them more vulnerable to disease and less likely to adapt to changing environments. This leaves a species vulnerable to extinction.
Low genetic diversity can occur in the wild due to events like the bottleneck and founder effects, or it may result from selective breeding .
These situations are likely to lead to allele fixation or loss within a gene pool, thereby reducing the genetic diversity of the population's gene pool.
