Mechanisms

of Evolution
Mechanisms of Evolution
There are several:
1. Natural Selection
2. Gene Flow
3. Genetic drift
4. Mutations
5. Non-random mating


1. Natural Selection:
Affects variation in a population as the better
adapted (more fit) individuals survive and
reproduce, passing on their genes to the
successive generations.
Acts only upon an organisms phenotype.
If the phenotype is better suited for a
changing environment, the individual can
survive and pass on its genes.

Natural Selection

2. Gene Flow:
Is the movement of alleles into or out of a
population (immigration or emigration).
Gene flow can introduce new alleles into a
gene pool or can change allele frequencies.
The overall effect of gene flow is to
counteract natural selection by creating less
differences between populations.
Example:
Plant pollen being blown into a new area

Gene Flow

3. Genetic Drift
The change in allele frequencies as a
result of chance processes.
These changes are much more
pronounced in small populations.

Examples of Genetic Drift
A) The Founder Effect:
Small population that branches off from a larger
one may or may not be genetically
representative of the larger population from
which it was derived.
Only a fraction of the total genetic diversity of
the original gene pool is represented in these
few individuals.

Examples of Genetic Drift
B) Population Bottleneck:
Occurs when a population undergoes an
event in which a significant percentage of a
population or species is killed or otherwise
prevented from reproducing.

The event may
eliminate alleles
entirely or also
cause other alleles
to be over-
represented in a
gene pool.
EX. Cheetahs


4. Mutations
Are inheritable changes in the genotype.
Provide the variation that can be acted upon
by natural selection.
Mutations provide the raw material on which
natural selection can act.


5. Non-Random Mating
In animals, non-random mating can change
allele frequencies as the choice of mates is
often an important part of behaviour.
Many plants self-pollinate, which is also a
form of non-random mating (inbreeding).