gene pool
Population's genetic total
The gene pool is the total collection of genes and their variants within a breeding population.
A small gene pool limits genetic diversity, making a species vulnerable to disease or environmental change: Cheetahs have such a narrow gene pool that they're essentially clones.
Figuratively, gene pool describes the available pool of potential mates or contributors to future generations: Moving to the city expanded her gene pool.
Gene variant at one locus
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- locusParticular position or place
inheritance · meiosis · recombination · nucleotide · genomics · replication · transcription · polymorphism
Differential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- survival of the fittestAdaptive advantage perpetuates species
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
selection pressure · fitness · reproductive success · common ancestor · phylogeny · evolutionary biology · inbreeding · outbreeding
Descent from progenitors
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- forebearsAncestral family members
- progenitorsOriginal ancestors of a lineage
pedigree · hereditary · inheritance · family tree · ancestors · descendants · interbreeding · kinship
Tendency to change
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
- variationChange from a norm
range · spectrum · plurality · differentiation · distinctiveness · assortment · multiformity · divergence
allele
Gene variant at one locus
- chromosomeDNA strand carrying genes
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
locus · inheritance · meiosis · recombination · nucleotide · genomics · replication · transcription · polymorphism · karyotype
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
- survival of the fittestAdaptive advantage perpetuates species
bottleneck · selection pressure · fitness · reproductive success · common ancestor · phylogeny · evolutionary biology · inbreeding · outbreeding · hybrid vigor
lineage
Descent from progenitors
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- forebearsAncestral family members
progenitors · pedigree · hereditary · inheritance · family tree · ancestors · descendants · interbreeding · kinship · parentage
variability
Tendency to change
- heterogeneityState of being dissimilar
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
variation · range · spectrum · plurality · differentiation · distinctiveness · assortment · multiformity · divergence · richness
- generations & geneticsGen X, Gen Z, millennials, boomers, Gen Alpha
- biology termscell, DNA, evolution, vertebrate, invertebrate
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- evolutionevolution, natural selection, mutation, adaptation, speciation
- heredityDNA, chromosomes, inheritance, traits, chromosome
- biodiversityspecies diversity, endemism, biodiversity hotspots, biota, fauna
gene poolcultural heritage
Inherited collective traditions
cultural inheritance · learned behavior · nurture · social learning · tradition
pool, genes, genetic, gene, genealogy, swimming pool, genetics, genome, genetically