Posts

Showing posts with the label adaptation

Gene pool

Image
  Gene pool , sum of a population’s genetic material at a given time. The term typically is used in reference to a population made up of individuals of the same species and includes all  genes  and combinations of genes (sum of the  alleles ) in the population. The  composition  of a population’s gene pool can change over time through  evolution . This can occur by a variety of mechanisms, including  mutations ,  natural selection , and  genetic drift . The result is a gene pool that is altered to be attuned to the needs of the population’s specific  environment . For example, the migration of human populations from equatorial regions toward northern climates, where they were exposed to relatively low amounts of sunlight, resulted in changes over time in skin pigmentation, with skin becoming lighter in color to augment  vitamin D  absorption (vitamin D is critical for proper bone development). The genetic modification...