In: Biology
For a given population, can you precisely predict when loss of genetic variation (fixation) will occur?
Genetic variation is significant in a population, without variation the population faces the risk of being extinct. Genetic variation is essential for evolution to take place. Evolution favours the individuals to survive in th extreme conditions.
Several factors results in the loss of the genetic variation in the population. Genetic drift is one such factor, which results in the loss of certain rare alleles and reduces the gene pool size. The less number of individuals in the population also results in the decrese of alleles. The loss of habitat, destruction of forests etc. have resulted in reduction of number of individuals.
In certain situations, inbreeding plays a major role in reducton of genetic variation and leading to fixation. The same individuals of the same population keeps on breeding and produce offsprings without any variations. These genetically similar individuals are prone to various diseases and thus genetic variation is a must for population to survive.