Blog Post Module 8: Reflection- Genetic variation vs natural selection

The definition of genetic variation is the difference in the sequence of genes between the individuals and organisms in a species. We also see that natural selection is the process where organisms that are better suited for the environment they live in tend to survive and produce more offspring. In a sense, genetic variation drives natural selection. Natural selection would not be possible without a genetic difference in genes within a population. 

There is a clear answer as to why natural selection has not eroded genetic variation over time, and the answer is mutations. If natural selection has taken place within a population, that does not stop the fact that mutations will still take place. This creates a whole new genetic variation amongst the population over generations. It creates a new gene pool and starts the process all over again. Mutations occur and they could be for the better of the population. In this case natural selection will take place and create a population full of the most fit out of the species. This process can happen over and over, but genetic variation is not able to be eroded over time because it is a continuous cycle. Mutations keep occurring and selection keeps taking place. Genetic variation drives natural selections, and mutations allow for the best fit organisms to stay alive, or ultimately be killed off. 



Comments

  1. Gretchen GrahamOctober 28, 2021 at 11:03 AM

    Hi Megan!
    I like how you used the graph as an example between the two. It allows us to visualize the difference in the two and not just read about them. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Andy SuOctober 28, 2021 at 1:47 PM

    Hi Megan, I thought it was great that you brought up how mutation prevents elimination of genetic variation. Although it is a weak evolutionary force, it contributes a lot to genetic variation as it can even introduce new alleles and change the whole genome for the better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lauren LeikerNovember 1, 2021 at 11:47 AM

    Hi there Megan, I like your perspective on how natural selection would not be possible without genetic differences and how genetic variation drives natural selection. Natural selection may limit genetic variation, however you’re right, mutations will continue to randomly occur and due to this constant cycle, genetic variation cannot be eroded by natural selection.

    ReplyDelete

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