Module 8 Population Genetics

Lesson 4.8.1

Lesson 1: Part A—The Gene Pool

Get Focused

Although up to now we’ve focused on how individuals come to inherit their genes, we now shift our attention and remind ourselves that each living organism, whether human, Amoeba, or pine tree, is part of a functioning population in nature. Individuals have no power to adapt or evolve, but populations do. As a general rule, the more genetic variation (polymorphism) there is in a population, the better the chance of at least some individuals surviving if unfavorable environmental change occurs. We can say, then, that variation helps protect species from extinction. However, how do biologists know how much variation exists in a population? 

By the end of this lesson you should be able to answer the following focusing question:

• How do biologists quantitatively describe the variation within a population?

Module 8: Lesson 1 Assignment

You will complete an assignment on frequency calculation and an assignment on determining frequencies for assessment. When you have completed the lesson you can then complete the online assignment Bio30 4.8.1 online assignment

 The other questions in this lesson are not marked by the teacher; however, you should still answer these questions. The Self-Check and Try This questions are placed in this lesson to help you review important information and build key concepts that may be applied in future lessons.