Question

4. a. Define Genetic Drift at a locus. What assumption of the H-W equilibrium model is violated for genetic drift to occur?

b. Why is the effect of genetic drift relatively "strong" (i.e. can cause larger change in allele frequency from generation to generation) in small populations and relatively "weak" in large populations? Include the following terms in your answer: gene pool, gametes, sampling error.

Answer 1

Answer :

4.a) when the allelic frequency change by chance over multiple generations it is called genetic drift. If mutation happens then Genetic drift also changes as the new alleles are introduced.

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As per Hardy Weinberg therom the genetic variation in a population will remain constant from generation to generation. Because in genetic drift the allelic frequency changes by chance it changes the HW equilibrium.

4.b) by genetic drift alleles frequency changes within a population by chance alone as a result of sampling error from generations to generation. Genetic drift leads to fixation of alleles or genotype in population. Inbreeding coefficient and homozygocity increases as alleles are removed in genetic drift.

In small population infrequently occurring alleles face a greater chance of being changed. Small population are reproductively isolated population where gene frequency can change rapidly. The smaller the population more susceptible is the population for genetic drift.