Question

All genes are subject to ______ ______ every generation. For each gene, this continues until one allele of the gene becomes fixed, and all other alleles of the gene are eliminated from the gene pool.

Answer 1

All genes are subject to genetic drift each generation, which can lead to one allele becoming fixed as it becomes the only allele remaining in the gene pool. This phenomenon is studied under population genetics and can occur due to natural selection or by chance through genetic drift.

Step-by-step explanation:

All genes are subject to genetic drift every generation. For each gene, this continues until one allele of the gene becomes fixed, and all other alleles of the gene are eliminated from the gene pool.

Population genetics is the study of how allele frequencies within a gene pool change over time due to processes like natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. An allele can become more frequent in a population if it confers a survival or reproductive advantage to those who carry it, leading to increased representation in subsequent generations.

Alternatively, genetic drift, which is especially impactful in small populations, can lead to changes in allele frequencies purely due to chance. This random sampling effect means that some alleles might become more common, or even fixed, not because they confer an advantage but simply due to random chance affecting which individuals survive to reproduce and pass on their alleles.