How does migration relate to gene flow?

Question

Madeline Andrews · Accepted Answer

When an organism or a group of organisms migrates from one area to another, if that organism or group encounters new organisms, gene flow can occur.

Gene flow, or the transfer of genes from one population to another, occurs whenever an individual (or group) moves and encounters another individual and genes are exchanged.

Gene flow happens when an immature animal leaves its natal group and joins a new group either permanently or for an extended period of time. Gene flow can also happen during migrations, if animals come into contact with new animals and genes are exchanged.

In the image below, we can see that the addition of a brown beetle to the population in the white circle will add another instance of this gene and increase its frequency within this population. If the beetle was black, this individual may introduce an entirely new gene to the population. Either way, this is an example of gene flow.

Isabella Anderson · Answer

undefined Migration, in the context of biology, refers to the movement of individuals from one population to another. Gene flow, on the other hand, is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another through interbreeding or mating.

Migration can facilitate gene flow by allowing individuals from one population to breed with individuals from another population, thereby introducing new genetic variation into the gene pool of the receiving population. Conversely, migration can also reduce genetic differences between populations by homogenizing their gene pools through the exchange of genetic material.

Overall, migration is a significant factor influencing gene flow between populations, and it plays a crucial role in shaping the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of populations and species.