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Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...

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Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.Life is not fair. A deer grazing contentedly in a field can have her meal cut tragically short by a bolt of lightning. If the doomed doe is one of only three in the population, 1/3 of the population’s gene pool is lost. Random events like this can...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Evolutionary potential of hidden genetic variation.

Arnaud Le Rouzic¹, Orjan Carlborg

¹Linnaeus Centre for Bioinformatics, Biomedical Centre, Box 598, Uppsala University, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|December 15, 2007

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Hidden genetic diversity influences evolution, but its impact remains unclear. We introduce "genetic charge" to quantify this potential for evolutionary change, aiding understanding of trait evolvability.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Genetics

Background:

Population response to selection depends on genetic architecture.
Complex genetic interactions can buffer or release genetic variability.
The influence of hidden genetic diversity on phenotypic evolution is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a new term for understanding hidden genetic variation's impact on phenotypic change.
To provide insights into how genetic architectures contribute to trait evolvability.

Main Methods:

Conceptual framework development.
Introduction of the 'genetic charge' concept.

Main Results:

The 'genetic charge' concept is introduced to describe the potential for evolutionary change stored within a trait's genetic architecture.
This concept allows for the quantification of hidden genetic variation's contribution to evolvability.

Conclusions:

A standardized term is needed to better understand the role of hidden genetic diversity in evolution.
The 'genetic charge' concept offers a framework for analyzing the evolutionary potential of traits.