Blog Post Module 8: Reflection Prompt

-

 It is assumed that selection is used to eliminate genetic variation. But that then creates the question of why wouldn't genetic variation erode over time? Genetic variation is maintained in populations despite selection and evolution can be used to explain this. 

Well, what even is genetic variation? Genetic variation is described as the difference in DNA in organisms or the DNA differences between populations. Genetic variation can be caused by mutation, genetic drift, genetic recombination, etc. From there, we need to discuss why genetic variation is important and relevant. Genetic variation is important for the health of a population. Having different alleles and DNA ensures that the population can evolve and adapt. Without variation, problems of inbreeding can occur. But the variation ensures that disease is avoided and allows organisms to evolve and thrive. When genetic variation is present, evolution is successful. The organisms can adapt to change and avoid depleting numbers in their population. But how does selection occur yet maintain genetic variation? There are multiple contributing factors in evolution that play into this idea.

One of the potential answers lies in mutations. Mutations are always occurring and can happen at random. So there will always be new genetics inserted into the population. Mutations can be common and alter an organism to induce change. The genotype change can create new phenotypes through different modes of mutations. 



In addition, genetic drift can play into this concept. Genes can present themselves in a population and then a genetic variant frequency can change due to random samplings of organisms. So the chance of a certain allele will increase or decrease over time. The idea that genes can migrate into and out of a population is also key. Certain individuals will have genes that are favored or not and that can determine factors like fitness in a population. There is gene migration but also physical migration of animals that can show selection but also create genetic variation. The mating patterns of animals are essential in the idea of genetic variation. When less inbreeding occurs, more genetic variation can happen. More diversity can happen and different phenotypes may present themselves. Genetic variation can be caused by so many different things, from mating to fitness and frequency ideas to more. The dominant and recessive alleles will also influence this idea and genetic drift is key in determining frequency. Allees have different modes of survival and they are able to influence genetics all around us. Although selection does occur, genetics and evolution find a way to alter genes in order to create genetic variation. 




Comments

  1. Haley BurnsOctober 19, 2021 at 7:07 AM

    I love the way you format your posts. I completely agree with all of this as mutation and genetic drift play a huge part in maintaining variation within genes. How do you think we could maintain genetic variation when rebuilding a nearly extinct population?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Evolution: Haley JonesOctober 19, 2021 at 1:04 PM

    Hi Madison,
    I like how you started with mentioning the importance of genetic variation in a population. When thinking about the importance one of the first things that came to my mind was inbreeding which we just discussed and how it can be detrimental to a population at times. With mutations this was also one of the immediate things that came to my mind when looking at how variation can be maintained

    ReplyDelete
  3. Megan McCoyOctober 21, 2021 at 11:49 AM

    Hi Madison!
    I think you did really well writing this blog post. I really like how the first thing you did was define genetic variation. In my blog post, I also stated that the way genetic variation stays in a population is through mutation. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kate OOctober 22, 2021 at 11:18 AM

    Madison,
    You did a really nice job framing this post with information to explain what you were talking about at the beginning before your really got into other topics that built off that first paragraph/second paragraph. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Emily DavorenOctober 23, 2021 at 1:26 PM

    I like how you broke down the concept of genetic variation into the factors that contribute to it to dispute the idea that selection wipes out variation.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Post Module 6: Reflection Prompt

-
Image
Inbreeding: Inbreeding is very common when studying organisms and genetic lines. Inbreeding is in simple terms of the mating of organisms closely related in genetic lines and related by ancestery. Often when we think about inbreeding, the idea is associated with the breeding of family members. There are some benefits but also many downfalls to inbreeding. One problem with inbreeding is when the genetic lines are so closely related, recessive alleles can present themselves at higher rates.  When looking at inbreeding, it is important to recognize some of the benefits when looking at inbreeding because inbreeding can lead to the evolution of assortative mating. Assortative mating is a mating pattern in which similar phenotypes mate with one another more frequently than would be expected under other random matting patterns. Phenotypes that would be present in this setting include body size, skin coloration, and other traits. Some benefits include creating ideal specimens, the stronger...
Read more

Blog Post Module 10: Reflection Prompt

-
Image
There are many different species that have adapted traits to enhance their courtship display. They display flashy morphological structures, bright colors, and associated behaviors. In most situations, the male displays the fancy morphological feature but, in some situations, the female will display the traits that are evolved. We often think of a male who is colorful or strong, they might even perform a dance, these ideas are often found in birds. It’s often thought that the male will display flashy behavior and the female will choose who is more desirable, but there are species that will do quite the opposite. There are instances where females will display colorful features and dancing behavior, just like we saw in the video. The question to consider is how would traits like this evolve? There are a couple different aspects to consider. Reproductive success and selection are important factors in evolutionary changes. The male may find that females who display the colorful features are...
Read more

Blog Post Module 4: Reflection Prompt

-
Image
  Do you think mutation rates evolve? Explain your answer in the context of Darwin's postulates about natural selection! I believe that mutation rates evolve through the generations. Mutations are part of evolution because, without a change in mutations, nothing will occur. The change could not happen if mutation rates evolved. The mutation is a key driver in genetic variation and genetic drift. The changes are necessary for genetic changes and selection purposes. The new mutation rates evolve and cater to increase or decrease in fitness, genetic variability to avoid inbreeding and other necessary changes. Mutation rates can also increase or decrease in genes and the rate can change depending on the evolution occurring. In the context of Darwin’s postulates, evolution is occurring and leading to natural selection. The three postulates are “individuals within species are variable, some of these variations are heritable, and individuals that reproduce the most are those with the most...
Read more