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Genetic Variation Assignment

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Added on  2019-10-01

Genetic Variation Assignment

   Added on 2019-10-01

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Genetic variation is the phenomenon where the differences in the DNA combination that createsthe differences within the phenotypic expression of genes within living organisms. The geneticvariation has contributed to the understanding of different aspects of biology, including theconservation biology, population genetics and systemic biology. Significant statistical data hasbeen collected, which helps in the understanding of the diversity of life over a time span of 40years. The levels of genetic variation are now possible to be studied using innovative techniquesby the researchers. The study approaches used by researchers provides in-depth knowledgeregarding the species, populations and individuals within a group of an organism or a singleorganism. One of the most revolutionary genetic techniques to be designed was theelectrophoresis of proteins in the 1960s. The technique allowed the researcher to separate theproteins from blood samples to find a different variety of proteins. The new era of the geneticsbegan with the electrophoresis of proteins using which researchers were able to build apopulation profile in diverse as well as homogenous populations.Interpretations of the experimental results were an essential element for deriving answers to thequeries of genetic variation among species in the scientific world. The processing of the datagenerated from the experimental approaches was subjected to assessment. The researchers madetheir assessments based on the experimental results were now being fuelled for debates. Themajor contributor of selectionist and neutralist debate among scientists was due to the limitationsdiscovered in the protein electrophoresis technique. With time, scientists' realised that only aquarter of the possible genetic variations could be determined with the adoption of the proteinelectrophoresis. The universal and outmoded nature of the genetic code gave rise to innumerablegenetic variation in proteins that could not be resolved with protein electrophoresis technique.There was a continued need to search for better approaches to increase the specificity of the
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variation up to the nucleotide level. A decade was passed with the final ability to determine thenucleotide base-pairing through DNA sequencing technique. The DNA sequencing providedhigher throughput results in the determination of the genetic variation among individuals. Thenext innovation was the development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in the1980s, and that facilitated in the more widespread adoption in many different regions of theworld. The advantages of PCR techniques include more sequencing in shorter time span, simplicity inthe understanding, sensitivity and replicative power is more than that of the proteinelectrophoresis technique. The issues with the specificity of the protein electrophoresis and moreaccurate results could be generated with each experiment. The evolution of the genetic code andthe in-depth DNA level information with the genetic variations were determined with PCR. Thecharacteristics of the phylogenetic relationships between the DNA and the genetic code werealso determined with the help of PCR. The determination of the allelic relationships and theresolution of the genetic locations were also achieved in this process. The temporal studies todetermine the mutation and persistence of allele were important in the discovery, as it was notpossible through protein electrophoresis. Genetic VariationThis phenomenon is necessary for the process of natural selection as it provides the traits suitablefor environmental adaptation. A genetic reproduction allows the organisms to pass on their genesto their progeny and variations with another genetic set allow the different combinations tooccur. For example, the variations in the eye colour, blood type in humans as well as the leafmodifications in plants are a result of genetic variation.
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Causes of Genetic VariationsMajor causes of the genetic variation include the mutations, gene flow and sexual reproduction.Single gene mutations and the duplications are some of the recognised mutations leading togenetic variation. Population with a high reproduction rate will show more variations in ofcharacteristics. The newer allele formation mainly occurs with sexual reproduction.DNA mutations: The phenomena causes genetic variation with the alterations of the geneticmaterial naturally and randomly is called DNA mutation. Gene Flow: A genetic variation increases when the newer combinations of the genetic materialmigrate into a specific population-giving rise to newer combinations of the gene.Sexual reproduction: The variations in the genetic material are most commonly observed in thesexual reproduction of higher eukaryotes. The combinations of the genetic material are passed onto the progeny, and the expression of different genotypes and phenotypes are observed. Environmental Adaptation and Genetic VariationThe natural selection provides a large scale of populations to adapt to changing environmentsthrough adaptation and evolution. The modifications in the individual that facilitate its survivalare selected naturally giving an opportunity for the genetic species to survive. The impact of thechange is observed through the changes in the phenotypic expression of the individual. Thenewer alleles produced from the genetic variation over the course of evolution provide theorganism with the ability to reproduce and pass on those modifications. However, certain kindsof alleles exist in the population without being affected by changes in the environment. Thesealleles do not undergo any changes and are not necessary for survival.
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Geographic VariationDistribution of the population into different geographical locations influences the changes in thegenetic construct. The impact of climatic conditions and geographic environment contributes tothe adaptations of the genetic construct of the individual. The geographic distribution helps in thefacilitation of the adaption of the population. The relative allele frequency differs within thesame population subjected to different geographic locations.MendelismWhile going ahead with genetic variation, it is important to know about the father of Genetics.Gregor Mendel in the year 1866, he did a great discovery that did not become famous as peopleat that time failed to recognise it. He took garden pea plant with 7 variations and researched itaccordingly. He performed cross breeding between two variations of garden pea plant where hediscovered the genetic variation. In which the genetic factors like dominant and recessive genesare being exposed. He selected garden pea plant because it has several types of characteristics,one of which is related to the fast breeding process, various contrasting characters. The testbetween different characters garden pea plant helped him to identify the various types of genes,whether they are dominant or the recessive ones. He even took 2 contrasting characters gardenpea plant and made a cross breed between them.Hence, Mendel put forward 3 laws as a resultant of his experiments in crossing. Law ofDominance, that states every chromosomes will have a dominant factor known as Dominantgenes and a recessive factor known as Recessive genes. Law of Independent assortment, whichstates every chromosomal factor, will be segregated independently. Lastly, Law of segregation, it
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