GENETIC DRIFT Meaning and
Definition
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Genetic drift is a biological concept that refers to the random fluctuations in the frequency of certain traits or genetic variations within a population over time. It is a form of evolutionary change that arises from chance events rather than natural selection.
The term genetic drift stems from the fact that these fluctuations occur due to the random sampling of genes from one generation to the next, without any specific adaptive advantage or disadvantage associated with the genetic variation. As a result, genetic drift can lead to the loss or fixation of certain alleles (different forms of a gene) within a population, meaning that some traits become more or less common while others may disappear entirely.
The influence of genetic drift is particularly pronounced in small populations where chance events can have a greater impact. The effects of genetic drift are more significant over shorter timescales and can lead to increased genetic differentiation between populations.
Genetic drift should not be confused with natural selection, which occurs when specific traits provide advantages or disadvantages to individuals in a given environment. While natural selection is driven by adaptation and survival, genetic drift is driven by chance events and can result in unpredictable changes in genetic diversity.
In summary, genetic drift is a process of random fluctuations in the gene pool of populations over time, which can have a significant impact on allele frequencies and genetic diversity within a population.
Common Misspellings for GENETIC DRIFT
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Etymology of GENETIC DRIFT
The word "genetic drift" was coined by the American geneticist Sewall Wright in the early 20th century. The term is a combination of two words:
1. Genetic: Derived from the Greek word "genetikos", which means "being born" or "produced". It is related to "genesis", which refers to the origin or birth of something.
2. Drift: Derived from the Old English word "drift", which originally meant "pushing" or "driving". In the context of genetic drift, it refers to the random changes in gene frequencies in a population over successive generations.
Therefore, the term "genetic drift" can be understood as the random change or shift in the frequencies of different genetic variants (alleles) within a population over time.
Similar spelling word for GENETIC DRIFT
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