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Related Concept Videos

Genetic Drift03:33

Genetic Drift

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...
What is Population Genetics?01:25

What is Population Genetics?

A population is composed of members of the same species that simultaneously live and interact in the same area. When individuals in a population breed, they pass down their genes to their offspring. Many of these genes are polymorphic, meaning that they occur in multiple variants. Such variations of a gene are referred to as alleles. The collective set of all the alleles within a population is known as the gene pool.While some alleles of a given gene might be observed commonly, other variants...
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...
What is Natural Selection?01:32

What is Natural Selection?

Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.The Theory of Natural...
Natural Selection and Mating Preferences01:06

Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
Hardy-Weinberg Principle01:49

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Diploid organisms have two alleles of each gene, one from each parent, in their somatic cells. Therefore, each individual contributes two alleles to the gene pool of the population. The gene pool of a population is the sum of every allele of all genes within that population and has some degree of variation. Genetic variation is typically expressed as a relative frequency, which is the percentage of the total population that has a given allele, genotype or phenotype.In the early 20th century,...

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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Detecting the Genetic Signature of Natural Selection in Human Populations: Models, Methods, and Data.

Angela M Hancock1, Anna Di Rienzo

  • 1Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637.

Annual Review of Anthropology
|September 28, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Human genome DNA variation reveals past adaptations driven by climate, diet, and pathogens. Large-scale sequencing projects will enhance our understanding of human evolution and natural selection.

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Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Population Genetics
  • Human Evolution
  • Molecular Anthropology

Background:

  • DNA sequence variation patterns serve as a historical record of selective events.
  • Advances in collecting large polymorphism datasets enable hypothesis-driven and genome-wide adaptation studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate signatures of natural selection and human adaptations using genetic data.
  • To correlate genetic adaptations with environmental factors like climate, diet, and pathogen exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA sequence variation and polymorphisms across human populations.
  • Genome-wide scans for signatures of adaptation.
  • Comparison of genetic findings with anthropological predictions.

Main Results:

  • Identified numerous genetic signals consistent with anthropological predictions of adaptation.
  • Strong evidence of selective pressures related to climate, diet, and pathogen exposure in human variation.
  • Observed additional adaptation signals in genes associated with chemosensory perception and reproduction.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic studies of natural selection provide insights into human evolutionary history.
  • Environmental factors have significantly shaped human genetic diversity.
  • Ongoing large-scale sequencing projects will further refine our understanding of human adaptations.