The movement of alleles between populations through migration and interbreeding, reducing differences between them.
Migrants carry alleles between populations, making them more similar and countering divergence by selection or drift. Even low migration of a few individuals per generation can prevent differentiation.
Barriers to gene flow promote speciation.
The movement of alleles between populations through migration and interbreeding, reducing differences between them.
Gene Flow is one of the 54 topics in Genetics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Genetic Variation, Genetic Drift, Population Genetics Models.
Pollen carried by wind can spread transgenes from crops into wild relatives.
Work through the Beginner topics in Genetics first, such as Heredity, Gene, Allele, then return to Gene Flow. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Gene Flow are Genetic Variation, Genetic Drift, Population Genetics Models, Gene Pool. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Gene Flow. To practise the whole of Genetics, use the Genetics quiz.
Gene Flow: The movement of alleles between populations through migration and interbreeding, reducing differences between them. Genetic Variation: Differences in DNA among individuals, arising from mutation, recombination and sexual reproduction. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Genetic Variation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Genetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Differences in DNA among individuals, arising from mutation, recombination and sexual reproduction.
🧬 GeneticsRandom changes in allele frequency that have strong effects in small populations, including the founder effect and bottleneck.
🧬 GeneticsMathematical models using selection, mutation, drift and migration to predict allele frequency change.
🧬 GeneticsThe total collection of alleles in all individuals of a breeding population.
🧬 Genetics