NEET UG » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Key difference gene flow and genetic drift

Key difference gene flow and genetic drift

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material from one population of a species to another by interbreeding, altering the makeup of the recipient population's gene pool.

The movement of genetic material from one group to another is known as gene flow. Gene flow is mediated by reproduction and vertical gene transmission from parent to offspring and may occur between two populations of the same species. 

Random changes in the number of gene variants in a population are referred to as genetic drift. When the prevalence of various versions of a gene, known as alleles, rises and decreases by chance over time, this is referred to as genetic drift. Changes in allele frequencies are used to quantify these differences in allele presence.

These concepts are really important as they determine the evolution and population of a species, in this article we will read about key difference gene flow and genetic drift.

Key difference gene flow and genetic drift-

Now we will take a in depth look at what do we mean by gene, genetic, what is the difference between gene flow and genetic drift, also at what are the effects of genetic drift and gene flow.

Gene-

The basic, physical, and functional unit of heredity is the gene. DNA sequences are made up of genes (genotypes). The genotypes, in combination with other variables (such as environmental influences), define an organism’s phenotypic characteristic. Evolution and natural selection are fueled by changes in the DNA.

Genetics-

The study of genes and inheritance in living creatures is known as genetics. This research looks at how creatures received qualities from their parents, all the way up to the current day, when we can read the “source code” of living things letter by letter.

What is the difference between gene flow and genetic drift-

What are the effects of genetic drift and gene flow-

Effects of gene flow- Gene flow has the function of decreasing genetic differences across groups, preventing or delaying the development of populations in various areas into different disease species.

Effects of genetic drift- Genetic drift has a wide range of impacts. It causes allele frequencies to fluctuate at random. Drift induces allele fixation by causing alleles or genotypes to be lost. In clonal (asexual) organisms, drift may result in the fixing or loss of whole genotypes. 

In diploid, drift creates a raise in homozygosity and a rise in the inbreeding coefficient. If there is no gene flow between populations, drift increases the degree of genetic differentiation.

Long-period evolutionary applications of genetic drift are important. By enabling the accumulation of non-adaptive mutations that might cause population divisions, genetic drift can assist speciation.  According to Sewall Wright’s changing balance hypothesis, drift also helps a population go from a lower fitness plateau to a higher fitness plateau.

Conclusion-

Gene flow and genetic drift are two processes that limit a population’s genetic diversity. The transmission of genes from one group to another is known as gene flow. Gene transfer is the exchange of genes between two organisms. The development of a new species is enabled via gene transfer. The fluctuation of allele frequencies in a small population is known as genetic drift. Alleles with high frequencies may become prominent in a population due to genetic drift. The influence of each occurrence on a population’s alleles is the key distinction between gene flow and genetic drift.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What is the difference between gene flow and genetic drift?

Ans: Genetic drift occurs when the frequency of one allele in a population drifts away from the frequency of the oth...Read full

What are the effects of genetic drift and gene flow?

Ans: When the geographical structure becomes more prominent, genetic drift dim...Read full

Tell the key difference between gene flow and genetic drift?

Ans: Gene flow is the transmission of genes across populations, while g...Read full

What variables have an impact on gene flow?

Ans: The movement of genes into and out of a population is known as gene flow. Individual organisms may migrate and ...Read full

Is it possible for genes to move across species?

Ans: Horizontal gene transfer (HGT, also known as lateral gene transfer) allows gene flow between two distinct speci...Read full

Is there a link between gene flow and genetic drift?

Ans: Because it involves the movement of alleles or gametes from one group to another, gene flow differs from geneti...Read full

Is it true that genetic drift improves or degrades fitness?

Ans: A shift in allele frequency in a population caused by a random selection of specific genes is known as genetic ...Read full