Biology: Evolutionary Genetics Concepts Quiz

The gene pool refers to the total genetic diversity found within a population, not just the number of genes in an individual or a physical swimming pool. It is a concept used in evolutionary biology to understand the variation within a species.

Relative frequency refers to the comparison of the occurrence of a specific allele within a gene pool to the occurrence of other alleles, it is not about the ratio within an individual organism, a simple percentage of alleles, or the number of mutations leading to new alleles.

Polygenic traits are influenced by multiple genes, each contributing a small amount to the overall phenotype. This is different from monogenic traits, which are controlled by a single gene.

Stabilizing selection is a form of natural selection where the center of the curve remains unchanged, favoring individuals near the middle of a distribution curve.

Disruptive selection is a form of natural selection that results in the splitting of a single population curve into two. This occurs when individuals at both ends (upper and lower) of the distribution curve have higher fitness compared to those in the middle. The incorrect answers provided do not correctly define disruptive selection, making them incorrect choices for this question.

Genetic drift refers to the random change in allele frequencies that occurs in small populations due to chance events. It is not a deliberate process like genetic engineering or selective breeding, nor is it related to genes turning on and off.

The Founder effect refers to the change in allele frequencies that occurs when a small subgroup of a population migrates to a new location, resulting in genetic drift.

The Hardy-Weinberg principle refers to the equilibrium of allele frequencies in a population.

Speciation refers to the process by which new species evolve from existing ones through various mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, and geographic isolation.

Reproductive isolation is a key concept in evolutionary biology that describes the mechanisms that prevent different species or populations from successfully interbreeding. This ultimately leads to the formation of new species.

Behavioral isolation is a type of reproductive isolation based on differences in behavior between populations which prevent them from successfully interbreeding.

Geographic isolation is a form of reproductive isolation that is specifically related to physical separation of populations by geographic features.

Temporal isolation is a form of reproductive isolation where two populations are reproductively isolated because they mate, breed, or pollinate at different times.