Question

How can each of the below concepts impact human medicine and health. Define all the concepts and explain.

1a. Natural Selection

1b. Genetic drift

1c. Gene flow

1d. Dispersal

1e. Cline

Answer 1

1a. Natural selection is a natural process of selection of genotypes that would result in offspring with better reproductive capabilities. The same is applicable to the disease-causing pathogens also. Means, natural selection contributed to the emergence of new pathogenic strains of microbes, but it may also enhance the resistance among in the organisms infected by those pathogens.

1b. Natural selection is a natural process of selection of genotypes that would result in offspring with better reproductive capabilities. The chances of genetic drift increase with the reduction in population size. Genetic drift reduces the heterozygosity due to inbreeding. So, it causes spread of genetic diseases among the individuals subjected to drift.

1c. Gene flow: The flow of genes from one generation to the others. It not only passes the advantageous traits, but also the deleterious genes.

1d. Dispersal: It is also referred to as migration. migration of people and mating with the people of different communities increase the gene diversity and can be helpful to improve the health of individuals.