Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Microevolution is the change in allele frequencies within a population over a relatively short period of time. It is driven by mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Microevolution occurs at or below the species level.
Natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutations are key mechanisms driving microevolution.
It can result in adaptations that enhance survival and reproduction.
Microevolutionary changes can be directly observed within a few generations.
The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium provides a framework to study allele frequency changes under ideal conditions.
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Related terms
Natural Selection: The process by which certain traits become more common in a population because they confer a survival or reproductive advantage.
Genetic Drift: Random fluctuations in allele frequencies within a population due to chance events.
Gene Flow: The transfer of genetic material from one population to another, which can alter allele frequencies.