Allele frequency
Definition
Allele frequency is the proportion of a specific allele among all alleles for a particular gene in a population. It indicates how common an allele is in the gene pool of that population.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Allele frequencies can change over time due to factors like natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
- The Hardy-Weinberg principle provides a framework to study allele frequencies under conditions where they remain constant.
- Allele frequency is often expressed as a percentage or fraction.
- Changes in allele frequency can indicate evolution within a population.
- Population bottlenecks and founder effects can lead to significant changes in allele frequencies.
Review Questions
- What are some factors that can cause changes in allele frequency within a population?
- How does the Hardy-Weinberg principle relate to allele frequency?
- Why is tracking changes in allele frequency important for understanding evolution?
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Related terms
Genotype Frequency: The proportion of different genotypes within a population.
Gene Pool: The total collection of genes and their variants (alleles) present in a population.
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: A theoretical state where allele frequencies remain constant across generations in the absence of evolutionary forces.
