key term - Microevolution

Definition

Microevolution refers to small-scale evolutionary changes that happen within a population over relatively short periods of time. These changes involve alterations in allele frequencies and are responsible for variation within a single species.

Related terms

Gene Pool:

The gene pool is the total collection of genes (alleles) present in a population at any given time. It includes all the genetic variations available for natural selection to act upon.

Genetic Drift:

Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population. It is more pronounced in small populations and can lead to the loss or fixation of certain alleles over time.

Gene Flow:

Gene flow is the movement of genes (alleles) from one population to another through migration or interbreeding. It can increase genetic diversity within a population and reduce genetic differences between populations.