Measuring Genetic Variation within Populations
Measuring Genetic
Variation within
Populations
How do we measure the genetic variation that occurs in natural populations? Genetic dominance, interactions between alleles of different genes, and environmental effects on a phenotype make it difficult to quantify genetic variation indirectly by observing organismal phenotypes. Variability can be quantified, however, at the molecular level.
How do we measure the genetic variation that occurs in natural populations? Genetic dominance, interactions between alleles of different genes, and environmental effects on a phenotype make it difficult to quantify genetic variation indirectly by observing organismal phenotypes. Variability can be quantified, however, at the molecular level.