What is the gene pool? How is a gene pool described in a quantitative way?
To review:
The definition of gene pool and its description in a quantitative way.
Introduction:
Population genetics is examined by the degree of genetic variation amongst the interbreeding individuals of a specific population over a period of time. J.B.S Haldane, Sewall Wright, and Ronald Fischer are the main scientists who contributed for explaining several theories in the branch of evolution. While Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin explained various theories for the genotypic occurrence in the population.
Explanation of Solution
The assemblage of various genes amongst the population that interbreeds is called as gene pool. Conceptually, gene pool is the addition of every gene present at all loci in a specific population of a particular species. In 1920s a geneticist of Russia, Aleksandr Sergeevich Serebrovskii termed this concept as ‘genofond’ (literally meaning gene fund).Later, it was changed to ‘gene pool’ by Theodosius Dobzhansky. It emphasizes on allelic variation.
The existence of a gene in two or extra alleles is termed as polymorphic, whereas existence of a gene as a single allele in a population is termed as monomorphic. When the frequency of allele is nearly 100%, then it will be monomorphic, and when the frequency of allele is from 1% to 99%, then it will be polymorphic. For a particular gene, the addition of all the alleles present will be 100%.
Therefore, it can be concluded that a gene pool is formed by considering all the genes of the interbreeding individuals in a particular set of population. It is used to see the variations in the population from a particular generation to another emphasizing on the allelic variation.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 27 Solutions
Genetics: Analysis and Principles
- Consider a greenhouse with 500 carnation plants. 280 plants are homozygous for the red allele (RR), 120 plants are heterozygous (Rr), and 100 plants are homozygous for the white allele (rr). What is the frequency of the red allele? What is the frequency of the white allele?arrow_forwardAccording to Amar J. S. Klar, is there a such thing as “left handedness”? What is the preferred term? Describe how the genetics works, according to his hypothesis. What are the alleles, and which combinations of alleles make for which type of hand use?arrow_forwardIn population genetics, for a locus with two alleles, we use the variable q to indicate. Freq(a), the frequency of the recessive allele Freq(Aa), the frequency of the Aa genotype Freq(AA), the frequency of the AA genotype Freq(A), the frequency of the dominant allele Freq(aa), the frequency of the aa genotypearrow_forward
- What are some traits that make a good model organism? Describe at least three traits.arrow_forwardWhat is a Mendelian population? How is the gene pool of a Mendelian population usually described?arrow_forwardSolve and Illustrate the following: A population of birds contains 16 animals with red tail feathers and 34 animals with blue tail feathers. Blue tail feathers are the dominant trait. a) What is the frequency of the red allele? b) What is the frequency of the blue allele? c) What is the frequency of heterozygotes? d) What is the frequency of birds homozygous for the blue allele?arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage Learning