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Biology

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Discuss the issues related to genetic diversity: mutations, sexual reproduction, migration, and population size

What is genetic diversity? Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. “High genetic diversity indicates many different kinds of alleles for each characteristic, and low genetic diversity indicates that nearly all the individuals in the population have the same alleles”. There are certain issues related to genetic diversity which include mutations, sexual reproduction, migration, and population size. Mutations are stable changes in the DNA sequence of a gene. Mutations can be caused by many different things. They can be caused by radiation. They can also be induced by the organism itself. Mutations happen naturally when genes have dysfunctions. Modifications in DNA caused by mutations can cause errors in protein sequence, creating partially or completely non-functional proteins. “Many mutations are harmful, but very rarely one will occur that is valuable to the organism”. Sexual reproduction is the formation of a new individual following the union of two gametes. These gametes have specific needs. A gamete has to meet and unite together. They also must have food to nourish the developing embryo. “The new member may have a unique combination of characteristics so superior to those of the other members of the population that the new member will be much more successful in producing offspring”. “Migration of individuals from one genetically distinct population to another is also an important way for alleles to be added to or subtracted from a local population”. There are a number of factors that affect the rate of gene flow between different populations. One of the most major factors is mobility. Animals tend to be more carried great distances by animals or wind. Population size is the

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