Random Change

Mechanisms of Evolution
 Factors that can cause evolutionary
change

Microevolution is change in the

frequency of a gene pool on a small
scale
 Mutation
FACTOR DESCRIPTION AND EFFECT
MUTATION Description: Mutation randomly introduces new alleles into a
population
Effect: Mutation changes allele frequencies. (Recall: Allele an
alternative form of a gene that is located at a specific location on a
chromosome)

Neutral mutation one that has no

immediate effect on an individual`s
fitness or reproductive success.
Harmful mutation reduces fitness
or reproductive success.
Beneficial mutation one that has a
positive impact on an individuals
fitness or reproductive success.
 Gene Flow
(migration)
FACTOR DESCRIPTION AND EFFECT
GENE FLOW Description: Gene flow occurs between two different
(MIGRATION) interbreeding populations that have different allele frequencies.
Effect: Gene flow may change allele frequencies in either or both
populations through a flow or movement of genes.

Ex. Prairie dogs live in colonies consisting

of a few dozen. They are forbidden to join
new colonies. However, in the summer,
mature male pups are allowed to enter
colonies hence altering gene pools.
 Non-random Mating
FACTOR DESCRIPTION AND EFFECT

NON-RANDOM Description: During non-random mating, individuals in a

MATING population select mates, often on the basis of their phenotypes.
(Recall: Phenotype - The set of observable characteristics of an
individual).
Effect: Non-random mating increases the proportion of
homozygous individuals in a population.
 GENETIC DRIFT
FACTOR DESCRIPTION AND EFFECT

GENETIC DRIFT Description: Genetic drift refers to random change in

genetic variation from generation to generation due to
chance.
Effect: Genetic drift changes allele frequencies
 GENETIC DRIFT: THE
BOTTLENECK EFFECT
When a severe event results in a drastic
reduction in numbers, a population may
experience a bottleneck effect.
A very small sample of alleles survives to
establish a new population.

Ex. Anthill
 EXAMPLE OF THE BOTTLENECK
EFFECT
Example:
population was
reduced by
overhunting to 20
individuals in the
1890s. The
population
rebounded to
30,000 in 1974.
Current
population is
based on genetic
information from
those 20
individuals
GENETIC DRIFT: THE FOUNDER
EFFECT
When a few individuals from a large
population leave to establish a new
population
(ex. IBM)
 SEXUAL SELECTION
Favours the selection of any trait that influences
the mating success of the individual.

Birds of Paradise: (long)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTR21os8gTA

Birds of Paradise: (short)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoXG_hMAA0k