Home Forum Dictionary Articles Tutorials Books Directory Share your work


Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Dictionary » G » Genetic drift

Genetic drift

Definition

noun

The process of change in the genetic composition of a population due to chance or random events rather than by natural selection, resulting in changes in allele frequencies over time.


Supplement

The effect of genetic drift in large populations is usually negligible whereas in small populations, it predominates. In a small population, genetic drift results in some alleles become more common while others become less common over time.


Compare: natural selection


Please contribute to this project, if you have more information about this term feel free to edit this page



Results from our forum


Questions about phenotypic plasticity

... factor would have to come into play. In a small population, random genetic drift could cause the entire population to lose phenotypic plasticity. Or, plasticity might ...

See entire post
by Luxorien
Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:08 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Questions about phenotypic plasticity
Replies: 3
Views: 728

Re: Is evolution as simple as we think?

... is NOT a RESPONSE system. Evolution is OUTCOME or END RESULT of genetic mutation/drift + selective pressure or absence of it (diversification process). If you put a live chicken ...

See entire post
by Rap
Sat Dec 01, 2012 1:43 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Is evolution as simple as we think?
Replies: 11
Views: 2122

Re: Is evolution as simple as we think?

... is NOT a RESPONSE system. Evolution is OUTCOME or END RESULT of genetic mutation/drift + selective pressure or absence of it (diversification process). If you put a live chicken ...

See entire post
by Cat
Sat Dec 01, 2012 1:14 am
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Is evolution as simple as we think?
Replies: 11
Views: 2122

Re: Loss of genetic diversity

The term is bottleneck which is a form of genetic drift.

See entire post
by gfa240
Thu Nov 29, 2012 3:45 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Loss of genetic diversity
Replies: 8
Views: 1921

Creationism is not scientific

... Change in gene frequency? Speciation? Descent with modification? Genetic drift? Any change in any living thing ever? The myth that the most complex thing man has ever ...

See entire post
by jinx25
Sat Nov 24, 2012 7:18 pm
 
Forum: Evolution
Topic: Creationism is not scientific
Replies: 24
Views: 3064
View all matching forum results

This page was last modified 10:38, 17 December 2008. This page has been accessed 99,934 times. 
What links here | Related changes | Permanent link