Why Is Genetic Variation Occurs - 1318 Words

The first person to coin the term epigenetics was Conrad Waddington in the early 1940s (1). He defined the study of epigenetics as â€Å"the branch of biology which studies the causal interactions between genes and their products which bring the phenotype into being† (2). Although scientists have long known that an offspring’s traits are passed down from its parents, the findings of Darwin and Gregor Mendel have really opened the doors for scientific researchers to begin to understand how and why genetic variation occurs. Now with advances in scientific research and bioinformatics, genetics has become increasingly important in revealing the root causes of diseases and the differences among individuals and species. Western religion has contributed to the extensive acceptance of the theory of â€Å"creationism† for hundreds of years. The term creationism according to the National Center for Science Education is: The religious belief in a supernatural deity or force that intervenes, or has intervened, directly in the physical world. Within that broad scope, there are many varieties of creationist belief. Some forms of creationism hold that natural biological processes cannot account for the history, diversity, and complexity of life on earth. Now with observations of gradual changes of species in the fossil record over time and advances in geology led to skepticism that eventually gave birth to the spread and development of the theories that make up the foundation of scientific theoryShow MoreRelatedLab 15 Essay697 Words   |  3 Pagesyou say about the genetic variation between these populations? That the genetic variation between these populations, are almost a complete 1:1 variation. Experiment 2: Questions 1. What observations can you make regarding the gene pool and gene frequency of the surviving individuals? That when you have a 50/50 chance of getting something it is just that a 50% chance you will get it. 2. What determines how often a phenotype occurs in a population? The variation in it if a person hasRead MoreThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual and Asexual Reproduction1024 Words   |  5 PagesThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual and Asexual Reproduction In order to avoid extinction species must reproduce and pass their genes on to the next generation, thus ensuring the survival of the population. For reproduction to occur cell division is necessary and this can be divided into two categories according to the behaviour of the chromosomes, they are known as mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is when the daughter cells finish up containing exactly the same number Read MoreAp Bio Chapter 231661 Words   |  7 Pages\ Chapter 23 Reading guide 1. what is the smallest unit of evolution and why is this important to understand? The population is the smallest unit of evolution . This is important to understand because it keeps clear what is evolving. 2. Define the following terms: a. Microevolution: evolutionary change below the species level; change in the genetic makeup of a population from generation to generation. It is evolutionary change on its smallest scale b. Population: a localized groupRead MoreNatural Selection Paper1502 Words   |  7 Pagesable to pass their genes through reproduction. Within the process of natural selection, it is possible for the original genetic make-up of a species to become altered. The team will report on the different processes of basic mechanisms of evolution, how natural selection results in biodiversity and why biodiversity is important to continued evolution. The sources of genetic variation such as mutations and sexual recombination will also be reviewed. Mechanisms of Evolution It is said that biology â€Å"cameRead MoreEvolutionary Concepts Activity 6 Essay1337 Words   |  6 Pageschanges in the gene pool. There are several mechanisms that can change a gene pool and allow evolution to occur. Natural selection, mutation, gene flow and genetic drift are some of the driving forces behind evolutionary change. Natural selection and genetic drift are the mechanisms that decrease genetic variation, whereas gene flow and mutation are the driving mechanism to increase genetic variation. Natural selection is basically the understanding that the environment can not support unlimited populationRead MoreMental Health Illnesses Have A Genetic Contribution1534 Words   |  7 Pagesproving to show that mental health illnesses have a genetic contribution. Mental health professionals have long known that certain mental illnesses can run in families, due to the fact that most, the chance of obtaining schizophrenia or bipolar disorder with no genetic factor is around one perfect, as to where if someone has a close relative with a certain disorder, such as a parent or sibling, the risk factor jumps to around ten percent. The genetic force behind the abundance of mental illnesses isRead MoreThe Devil Lake Trout Population Study872 Words   |  4 PagesGenetic diversity is a measurement of the variation in the nucleotides, genes, chromosomes, whole genome or phenotype of an organism. An understanding of the genetic diversity of lake trout populations is required for effective conservation and management. The Devil Lake trout population has a higher mean heterozygosity than Loughborough Lake’s. Lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, is the keystone species in most northern temperate lakes in North America. They are the top carnivorous species in theRead MoreIt Is Efficient When Copying Information992 Words   |  4 Pagescrossing over occurs. 9. 2 possible genetic variations produced in meiosis; Crossing over: The chromosomes will start to cross over, through exchanging segments of DNA molecules. This happens in the course of prophase 1. The double chromatid pairs which are condensed are the ones that cross over. The new structure offers genetic variation, as they allow the parent genes to intermix. This crossing over process takes place at non-sister chromatids, leaves them with a different genetic complement. ThisRead MoreThe Human Genome And The Building Blocks Of Life1359 Words   |  6 PagesRaul Santos 7-8 Period 4/9/2015 Genetics Much research has gone into learning about the human genome and the building blocks of life. Thanks to genetic research we have learned about mutations and what medical effects they can have on a person. Genetic research allows us to better understand and genetic variation. It has made easier the process of mass producing crops. Because of how useful genetic research is, billions of dollars have been invested in it by companies around the world. But what exactlyRead MoreCharles Darwin s Theory Of Biblical Creation1028 Words   |  5 Pageswere related to the variations of the birds living among different environments. With the presumption that only one species of finches exists in South America, Darwin discovered thirteen dissimilar finches on the Galapagos Islands, six-hundred miles east of where they originated. These birds all had different sizes and shapes of their beaks. Additionally, the variations were contributed to the diets, which was different food ranging from insects, f ruits and seeds. The variations in the beaks gave the