Sources of Genetic Variation

Objectives and Standards

Sources of  After this lesson, students will be able to describe three

Genetic different ways how genetic variation comes into a

population, and why each is important.
 This lesson develops NGSS standard HS-LS4-2.

Variation HS-LS4-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of

Evolution: Evidence and Mechanisms evolution primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species
to increase in number, (2) the heritable genetic variation of individuals in
a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for
9-10 College Prep Biology limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those organisms that are
better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.
Ms. Clay

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What are some physical What is Genetic Variation?

traits that you have that are
different from some of your
Genetic variation is a difference between
classmates? organisms caused by a difference in DNA.

Think What are some physical

About traits that you have that are
different from your siblings or
It… other close family members?
Some species have more genetic differences
within the species than others, but except
for identical twins, no two individuals will have
the exact same genomes.
Not all differences between variations are
genetic – may also be caused by environmental
factors.

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Sources of Genetic Variation

Example:
Genetic Variation
 There are four known color variations in
Tigers:
 Orange tiger (orange with black stripes)
 White tiger (white with black stripes)
 Golden tiger (orange with brown
stripes)
 Snow white tiger (white with light brown
stripes)
 Genetic analysis has shown that golden,
white, and snow white tigers
have mutations in one or both of two
genes, CORIN p.H587Y and SLC45A2
p.A477V
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.
Example:
Environmental Variation
 In an experiment with red rock crabs
(Cancer productus), crabs who were
fed harder food developed stronger
claws than those who were fed softer
food.
 In this case, the difference was caused
by environmental factors rather than a
difference in genes.
Think About It...
What would you expect to happen if two crabs that had been eating hard prey reproduced, and then
the offspring were placed in an environment with soft food?
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-ND.

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How Do We Get Genetic Mutations

Variation?
New genetic variations come into a population Happen when the nucleotide sequence in a
through: gene changes
New gene mutations Depending on where the mutation happens
and how large of a section of DNA is affected, it
Individuals with different genes entering the may have no effect, a small one, or a large one.
population (gene flow) A mutation may be passed on if
Sexual reproduction leading to new It is in a germ-line cell (egg or sperm)
combinations of genes
The individual can successfully reproduce

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Sources of Genetic Variation

Mutations are Random Causes of Mutations

 Errors during copying of DNA
When a gene mutates, it’s not “trying” to
One or more incorrect
change a trait, if the new genotype is useful or nucleotide bases are placed
harmful, it just happened by chance. during DNA replication and if the
error is not fixed, it becomes a
There are limits to what a mutation can do – mutation.
developing a new complex trait requires many Thought to be the most common
individual gene changes, and don’t expect a source of the mutations involved
pig to just sprout wings or a human to get X-Men in evolutionary change.
style powers! This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.
 Radiation, harmful chemicals, or
viruses
 Cause sections of DNA to break
down and they may not be
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
repaired correctly.

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Example:
Going from Genotype to Genotype and Phenotype
Phenotype Golden tigers have a
nucleotide change C>T in a
DNA mRNA Protein specific place.
Changes functioning of a
• Double • Single strand • Enzymes
strand of of • Structural
gene that controls pigments
nucleotides nucleotides Proteins being produced.
that forms that transmits • Hormones
the information Since the gene is recessive,
• Motor
“blueprint” of for making a
proteins tigers with two copies of the
the organism. protein
• Etc. gene mutation have lighter
brown stripes instead of the
wild type black stripes.

This Photoc by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

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Sources of Genetic Variation

Gene Flow Sexual Reproduction

 How genes are "shuffled"
into new combinations.
When an individual of a species from a different
location moves into a population, it carries some  You receive one copy of a
genetic differences. gene from each parent.
 If a parent has two
Interbreeding between that individual and
different versions of a
individuals already there changes the gene
gene, two offspring might
pool of the population. get the same version or
different ones.

Think About It...

How do genes get shuffled into new combinations during sexual reproduction?

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Meiosis and Crossing Over How Does Meiosis Lead to

• Genes on New Traits?
different
chromosomes Many traits are caused by a combination of
are randomly different genes.
distributed
during meiosis. Mixing of genes can lead to new combinations
that didn't exist in either parent.
• Genes located
on the same
chromosome
may also be split This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.
because of
crossing over.

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Sources of Genetic Variation

Example: When genes do travel

Multiple-Gene Traits
together: Linkage

 Snow white tigers  Genes that are located

have two different closely together on the
recessive genes same chromosome are
more likely to be passed
One shared with
down together.
white tigers
 Less space for a crossover
One shared with
event to happen between
golden tigers
them.
 Example: white tigers also
Think About It... have a gene for crossed
If a population of white tigers and a population of golden tigers mixed, which phenotypes
would you expect to see after a few generations? eyes.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA. This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.

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From Mutation to Adaptation

Having individuals with different genes is only the Would a genetically diverse
first step. population have an
For a gene to become more common, it must advantage or
give the organism some kind of advantage.
disadvantage in a
Many mutations have no effect or a neutral Think changing environment?
effect.
May also have a negative or lethal effect. About Why?
Adaptation: the adjustment or changes in It…
behavior, physiology, or structure that make an
organism better suited to its environment.

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