does gene flow increase or decrease variation

Let us consider a hypothetical situation in a forest where there are 50% each of two tree species. For example, in a population, some individuals may leave more offspring by chance than other individuals. Natural selection operates through reproductive fitness (the ability to produce offspring that contribute to the gene pool of the next generation).Īs the term implies, random genetic drift is random and uncontrollable. These processes will lead to a change in population, due to the favoring of reproduction of certain individuals over others, thus causing a change in the gene pool (genes possessed by the mating population). Processes that rearrange genetic variability: natural selection or random genetic drift.1 Genetic flow from diseased plants to healthy plants. Gene flow can be an important source of genetic variation if genes are carried to a population where those genes did not previously exist (Fig 1).įig. Somatic mutations (occurring in the non-reproductive cell) are not useful to genetic variability. Therefore mutations can be neutral, harmful, or beneficial. Mutations are considered random as they are not created to address a “need” of the organism. This provides the potential to change the composition of individuals in the population. Processes that create genetic variability: gene mutation, recombination, chromosomal segregation, gene flow are some of the ways to create genetic variability.Natural selection requires three main processes to function: Relationship of Plant Breeding to Natural Selection Creating Genetic Variability Know the legal issues with germplasm usage and exchange.Become familiar with plant genetic resources and working with variability in hybridizations.Gain an understanding of the concepts of types and origin of genetic variation.Know processes that create genetic variation.

Does gene flow increase or decrease variation