An Introduction to Population Genetics

 

Matthew Andersen

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1993, Volume 14

Abstract

The evolution of populations is examined by simulations over 5 to 10 generations. Students use playing cards to simulate random mating, and then modify the mating to illustrate more natural conditions. With the addition of computer simulations, the same evolutionary principles may be applied to many generations. Discussion topics include the importance of genetic drift and mutation as the sources of raw material for evolution, the maintenance of recessive alleles in populations, and the role natural selection may play in changing allele frequencies.

Keywords:  evolution, Hardy-Weinburg genetic equilibrium, genetic drift, mutation, natural selection

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (1992)