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Evolutionary Processes > Research Links
This chapter introduced the driving force of evolution—namely, heritable changes in genes. The following links offer additional resources on this topic as well as examples on processes such as genetic drift, sexual selection, and speciation. Many of the Websites contain links that allow for further exploration of a given topic.
22.1 Why Is Genetic Diversity Important?
World Resources Institute
This site from the World Resources Institute discusses the importance of genetic diversity, particularly as it relates to ecology. Follow the links to related pages on biological and species diversity.
Keywords: variation, speciation, genetic diversity
Host Plant Resistance and Conservation of Genetic Diversity
This site from the University of Minnesota focuses on the importance of the diversity of agricultural crops worldwide. Follow the links to learn about national and international organizations concerned with the possibility of loss of diversity in agriculture.
Keywords: genetic diversity, agriculture, conservation
22.2 Analyzing Allele Frequency: Hardy-Weinberg Equations
Using the Hardy-Weinberg Equations
This site provides an excellent example of how the Hardy-Weinberg equations can be used to predict the frequencies of alleles in a population. It does so using a real-world example: the prevalence of a recessive human disease.
Keywords: allelic frequencies, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, population genetics
22.3 Mutation
Mutations Galore
This Scientific American article discusses the rate of genetic mutation in humans.
Keywords: mutation, genes, evolution
22.4 Migration
Population Structure and Gene Flow
This site helps explain how migration alters the genetic makeup of a population, creating an important source of variation for natural selection to act on.
Keywords: genetic structure, population, gene flow, migration
22.5 Genetic Drift
Population Structure
This article from a professor at Rutgers University discusses genetic drift and its relation to population structure and the species concept. Links at the bottom of the article explore other important concepts in population genetics.
Keywords: genetic drift, migration, population
Genetic Drift Simulation
This Web simulation, from the Biology Project at the University of Arizona, uses a fictional animal, the driftworm, to explain the concept of genetic drift. Many of the links lead to other pages on the basic concepts of population genetics and evolution.
Keywords: genetic drift, evolution
22.6 Inbreeding
Inbreeding
This site from University College in London explores how inbreeding, another important factor in evolution, can affect gene frequencies in populations. The page also contains a good review of genetic drift.
Keywords: inbreeding, random mating, genetic load
22.7 Sexual Selection
Cell Phone or Pheromone? New Props for the Mating Game
This page discusses some amusing research on other, non-communication related uses of cellular phones and technology. The article also shows how doing biology can be as fun as it is interesting. This is a FREE article from the New York Times but you will be required to register to read the article or search their archive.
Keywords: sexual selection
