Population Genetics: An Evolutionary Overview

Population Genetics

Microevolution

Change in the collective genetic material of a population.

Bell Curve

Shows the frequency of a trait in a population.

Gene Pool

Describes the total genetic information available in a population.

Hardy-Weinberg Genetic Equilibrium

Principle based on a set of assumptions about an ideal hypothetical population that is not evolving.

Immigration

Movement of individuals into a population.

Emigration

Movement of individuals out of a population.

Gene Flow

Process of genes moving from one population to another.

Sexual Selection

Tendency of females to choose the males they mate with based on certain traits.

Stabilizing Selection

Individuals with the average form of a trait have the highest fitness.

Disruptive Selection

Individuals with either extreme variation of a trait have greater fitness.

Directional Selection

Individuals that display a more extreme form of a trait have greater fitness.

Speciation

Process of species formation.

Morphology

Internal or external structure and appearance of an organism.

Biological Species Concept

Population of organisms that can successfully interbreed but cannot breed with other groups.

Geographic Isolation

Physical separation of members of a population.

Reproductive Isolation

Results from barriers to successful interbreeding between population groups in the same area.

Gradualism

Idea that speciation happens at a regular, gradual rate.

Punctuated Equilibrium

Refers to sudden, rapid changes in short periods during species formation.