Gene pool
Gene pool
Gene pool (/dʒiːn puːl/) is a term used in genetics to describe the total genetic diversity found within a population or a species.
Etymology
The term "gene pool" comes from the idea that genetic material in a population is mixed together in a metaphorical pool rather than being distinct. The concept was first introduced by the Russian geneticist Aleksandr Sergeevich Serebrovsky in 1926.
Definition
In a gene pool, each individual organism contributes a set of genes to the overall genetic makeup. The variation in these genes within the gene pool is what allows for genetic diversity, which is crucial for the survival and adaptation of a species.
Related Terms
- Allele: An allele is a variant form of a gene. In a gene pool, there are often many different alleles for each gene.
- Genetic Drift: Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that causes changes in the gene pool of a population over time due to random sampling.
- Genetic Variation: Genetic variation refers to the diversity in the genetic makeup of individuals in a population. It is the raw material upon which natural selection works.
- Hardy-Weinberg Principle: The Hardy-Weinberg principle is a principle in population genetics that states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of other evolutionary influences.
- Population Genetics: Population genetics is the study of genetic variation within populations, and involves the examination and modelling of changes in the frequencies of genes and alleles in populations over time.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Gene pool
- Wikipedia's article - Gene pool
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