How do new alleles enter a population?

Casey · Post by **Casey** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:04 am

How do new alleles enter a population?

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Post by Casey » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:04 am

I was going through past exam papers and came across this question

Explain how new alleles can enter and become established in a population.

Is it because of mutations?

alextemplet · Post by **alextemplet** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:27 pm

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Post by alextemplet » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:27 pm

That's one way for new alleles to enter a population. Some scientists think they can also be introduced from other sources such as bacteria or viruses.

Generally speaking, the more people talk about "being saved," the further away they actually are from true salvation.

~Alex
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Casey · Post by **Casey** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:31 pm

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Post by Casey » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:31 pm

Cool thanks! Also the process of meiosis that helps with variation, is that simply crossing over?

wbla3335 · Post by **wbla3335** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:56 am

Re: How do new alleles enter a population?

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Post by wbla3335 » Fri Sep 12, 2008 6:56 am

Yes, recombination can create new alleles. Also, gene flow from other populations. So these three - new mutations, recombination, and gene flow - are the most common ways for a population to acquire new alleles. Horizontal, or lateral, transfer is also a mechanism in prokaryotes (nearly the entire genome of a species of Wolbachia has been found within the genome of Drosophila ananassae - so lots of new genes too, not just alleles).

Casey · Post by **Casey** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:53 am

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Post by Casey » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:53 am

Cool thanks! Thats heaps to help