Variation
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Theory of Evolution > Variation
Variation is one of the two key parts of the theory of evolution. Variation is the name given to the processes which increase the diversity of the genome.
Variation is introduced by a number of processes:
- Mutation - These create new alleles and thus a new characteristic.
- Gene duplication produces new genes.
- Recombination, Crossing Over - This creates a new set of genes in meiosis by creating a haploid (single set of chromosomes) cell by mixing the genes from the original diploid cell.
- Sexual reproduction - Combines gametes that may carry different alleles never before found in that combination.
- Gene flow, migration, Horizontal transfer - Transfers genes between isolated gene pools.
The product of variation is then subject to selection.
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This page is part of the EvoWiki encyclopedia of genetics and molecular biology. Topics: Genetics - Transmission genetics - Molecular genetics - Population genetics - Quantitative genetics - Molecular biology - Genomics |
