population genetics

Because the processes of variation and selection take place at the population level, the basic theory of the genetics of evolutionary change is contained in the general area known as population genetics.

…gene pool of a small population that takes place strictly by chance. Genetic drift can result in genetic traits being lost from a population or becoming widespread in a population without respect to the survival or reproductive value of the alleles involved. A random statistical effect, genetic drift can occur…

The science of population genetics is based on this principle, which may be stated as follows: in a large, random-mating population, the proportion of dominant and recessive genes present tends to remain constant from generation to generation unless outside forces act to change it. In such a way…

…to the differences (variations) in populations of organisms from which nature selects for survival those that are best able to cope with changing conditions in the environment.

The study of genes in populations of animals, plants, and microbes provides information on past migrations, evolutionary relationships and extents of mixing among different varieties and species, and methods of adaptation to the environment. Statistical methods are used to analyze gene distributions and…

…the same species to open populations that show varying degrees of connectedness.

Gould also argued that population genetics is useful—indeed, all-important—for understanding relatively small-scale or short-term evolutionary changes but that it is incapable of yielding insight into large-scale or long-term ones, such as the Cambrian explosion. One must turn to paleontology in its own right to explain those changes, which might…

…that laid the foundation for population genetics studies of social behaviour. The key concept presented in this work was inclusive fitness, a theory in which an organism’s genetic success is believed to be derived from cooperation and altruistic behaviour, as well as the consequences of social interaction. Hamilton demonstrated mathematically…

…one of the founders of population genetics. He was the brother of the political scientist Quincy Wright.