WHAT IS GENETIC VARIATION?
Genetic variation is the variation in alleles of genes in the gene pool of a population or species. It can be defined as a process that can occur either within or among populations. Genetic variations provide raw materials for natural selection.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUTATIONS + GENETIC VARIATION
Mutations and sexual reproduction are the major reasons for genetic variation. When an allele is altered because of a genetic mutation, the next generation will have a different, mutated gene in their species’ population. Alteration of an allele could occur due to a mutation in either a chromosome or a gene.
Genetic variation can also happen due to sexual reproduction through mate selection and recombination possibility. Because of the variations among individuals of a population, preference is made in choosing reproductive partners. Therefore, there is a decent possibility for alleles to be altered in the next population. Although the mutated alleles are not always shown because of the dominant and recessive allele occurrences, the variation that occurs will have an influence later in the generations. These genetic variations would be vital to adapt to the difficulties and demands of the fluxing environment and the habitat conditions or aid in the survival of natural selection.
HOW DOES MEIOSIS CONTRIBUTE TO GENETIC VARIATION?
Meiosis is involved with genetic variation since it creates new sets of genes. Meiosis is a method of cell division where the cells that divide distribute half of the 46 human chromosomes to sperm and half to an ovum. Together, the sperm and ovum join as a fertilized egg (a zygote), which has all 46 chromosomes. The process of meiosis results in each generation having the same number of 46 chromosomes. Genetic variation usually means the differences in genes between individual of a population, or the frequency in which the different gene types are shown. Genetic variation is highly important for the adaptation and survival of species, as it helps in terms of evolution and natural selection. Meiosis contributes to variation because during fertilisation, one gamete from both father and mother combines to make a zygote. Due to recombination and independent assortment in meiosis, all gametes hold a different set of DNA. A unique combination of genes in the resulting zygote is produced from this. Crossing over or recombination happens in prophase I. Homologous chromosomes (one given from both parents) pair along their lengths, gene by gene. Breaks happen along the chromosomes and rejoin, exchanging some of their genes with each other. Unique sequence/combinations are now in the chromosomes. This uniqueness is genetic variation. This rearranging of genes into unique combinations heightens the genetic variation in populations and explains the variation seen between siblings with the same parents.
Genetic variation is the variation in alleles of genes in the gene pool of a population or species. It can be defined as a process that can occur either within or among populations. Genetic variations provide raw materials for natural selection.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUTATIONS + GENETIC VARIATION
Mutations and sexual reproduction are the major reasons for genetic variation. When an allele is altered because of a genetic mutation, the next generation will have a different, mutated gene in their species’ population. Alteration of an allele could occur due to a mutation in either a chromosome or a gene.
Genetic variation can also happen due to sexual reproduction through mate selection and recombination possibility. Because of the variations among individuals of a population, preference is made in choosing reproductive partners. Therefore, there is a decent possibility for alleles to be altered in the next population. Although the mutated alleles are not always shown because of the dominant and recessive allele occurrences, the variation that occurs will have an influence later in the generations. These genetic variations would be vital to adapt to the difficulties and demands of the fluxing environment and the habitat conditions or aid in the survival of natural selection.
HOW DOES MEIOSIS CONTRIBUTE TO GENETIC VARIATION?
Meiosis is involved with genetic variation since it creates new sets of genes. Meiosis is a method of cell division where the cells that divide distribute half of the 46 human chromosomes to sperm and half to an ovum. Together, the sperm and ovum join as a fertilized egg (a zygote), which has all 46 chromosomes. The process of meiosis results in each generation having the same number of 46 chromosomes. Genetic variation usually means the differences in genes between individual of a population, or the frequency in which the different gene types are shown. Genetic variation is highly important for the adaptation and survival of species, as it helps in terms of evolution and natural selection. Meiosis contributes to variation because during fertilisation, one gamete from both father and mother combines to make a zygote. Due to recombination and independent assortment in meiosis, all gametes hold a different set of DNA. A unique combination of genes in the resulting zygote is produced from this. Crossing over or recombination happens in prophase I. Homologous chromosomes (one given from both parents) pair along their lengths, gene by gene. Breaks happen along the chromosomes and rejoin, exchanging some of their genes with each other. Unique sequence/combinations are now in the chromosomes. This uniqueness is genetic variation. This rearranging of genes into unique combinations heightens the genetic variation in populations and explains the variation seen between siblings with the same parents.