Explain the mechanism of evolution
Dear Student,
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- Evolution is the change in the characteristics of a species over several generations.
- Evolution can takes place by various mechanisms like mutation, genetic drift, gene flow, non-random mating, and natural selection.
- 1 Mutation: Mutation is a sudden change that occurs in a DNA sequence.
- The ultimate source of all genetic variation is mutation.
- Hereditary mutations, which occur in egg or sperm cells, can be passed to future generations.
- These type of mutations contributes to evolution.
- 2 Genetic drift: It is a mechanism of evolution in which allele frequencies of a population change over generations due to chance.
- Larger populations are unlikely to change as a result of genetic drift.
- Genetic drift more effectively works on smaller populations.
- 3 Gene flow: Gene flow (gene migration / allele flow) is the transfer of genetic variation or genes from one population to another.
- This gene flow occurs when there is migration.
- Evolution occur as a result of genes being transferred from one population to another.
- 4 Non random mating: In this organisms prefer to mate with others of the same genotype or of different genotypes.
- Non-random mating can alter genotype frequencies.
- Non-random mating can act as an ancillary process for natural selection to cause evolution to occur.
- 5 Natural selection: Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution.
- Organisms that are more adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes.
- This process causes species to change and diverge over time.
Regards.