 |
|
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
|
|
founder effect
An important cause of genetic drift in addition to natural selection and random drift. The founder effect is the difference between the gene pool of a population as a whole and that of a newly isolated population of the same species. The founder effect occurs when populations are started from a small number of pioneer individuals of one original population. Because of small sample size, the new population could have a much different genetic ratio than the original population. An example of the founder effect would be when a plant population results from a single seed.
Related entry
• evolution
Related categories
• ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE
• GENETICS AND HEREDITY
Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information
Also on this site:
Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History
Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site)