Random changes in allele frequency that have strong effects in small populations, including the founder effect and bottleneck.
Chance events change allele frequencies, especially in small populations; alleles can be fixed or lost with no adaptive reason. The founder effect arises when a few colonists carry a non-representative sample, and bottlenecks reduce populations suddenly.
Drift is a main source of differences among isolated populations.
Random changes in allele frequency that have strong effects in small populations, including the founder effect and bottleneck.
Genetic Drift 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 Population Genetics Models, Genetic Variation, Gene Flow.
Ellis-van Creveld syndrome is unusually common in the Old Order Amish due to a founder effect.
Work through the Beginner topics in Genetics first, such as Heredity, Gene, Allele, then return to Genetic Drift. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Genetic Drift are Population Genetics Models, Genetic Variation, Gene Flow, Heritability. 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 Genetic Drift. To practise the whole of Genetics, use the Genetics quiz.
Genetic Drift: Random changes in allele frequency that have strong effects in small populations, including the founder effect and bottleneck. Population Genetics Models: Mathematical models using selection, mutation, drift and migration to predict allele frequency change. 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 Population Genetics Models and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Genetics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Mathematical models using selection, mutation, drift and migration to predict allele frequency change.
🧬 GeneticsDifferences in DNA among individuals, arising from mutation, recombination and sexual reproduction.
🧬 GeneticsThe movement of alleles between populations through migration and interbreeding, reducing differences between them.
🧬 GeneticsThe proportion of phenotypic variation in a population attributable to genetic differences.
🧬 Genetics