Question

Discuss the theory behind the assertion that: "Selection is unimportant for most polymorphisms". Compare and contrast the selectionist and neutralist view of molecular evolution. Which view do you agree with and why?

Answer 1

Polymorphism is a discontinuous genetic variation resulting in the occurrence of several different forms or types of individuals among the members of a single species. A discontinuous genetic variation separates the organisms of a population into two or more distinct forms. Selection process is interfare with the polymorphism and also disturbed the discontinuous genetic variation. Many genes are may be lost due to selection.

selectionist	neutralist
Selection is natural process, by which the fittest organisms can survive. Natural selection can be reduced substantially if natural selection occurs by choosing only individuals in which the number of advantageous genes is higher, thus they can easily adapt themselves according to the environment.	Neutral mutations, that do not change the function of gene products. many deleterious and slightly advantageous mutations are engulfed by neutral mutations. Neutral and are fixed by random genetic drift, any number of substitutions is possible as long as the substitution rate is lower than the mutation rate. Thus, neutralism indicates the fixed of an organism in an particular environment.

Yes, We, agreed about the hypothesis of these selection theories. According to the book Origin of Species, Charles Darwin (1859) proposed that all organisms on earth evolved from a single proto-organism . However, there is some similarity between phenotypic and molecular evolution with respect to functional or environmental factors and evolutionary rate. It appears that in molecular level the the selection patterns are directly linked with mutation, which is driving force of evolution at both the genic and the phenotypic levels.

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