Issues Related to Genetic Diversity - Essay Example

Issues Related To Genetic Diversity
Genetic diversity occurs when individuals in a population have different alleles. Diversity is good because it helps organisms to survive in different environments. It is connected with various issues such as migration and sexual reproduction that have been discussed in the paper.
One of the issues associated with genetic diversity is a mutation which occurs when there is a permanent change in an organism’s genetic information. It is caused by the introduction of new genetic characteristics or alleles. The mutation is usually caused by various factors. One of the causes includes radiation. Organisms can also trigger mutation in their DNA. The process occurs naturally after the genes have stopped functioning normally. Mutations can be helpful and harmful depending on how organisms are affected. For instance, it can be harmful if it leads to faulty protein sequences. This is because it causes some proteins to stop functioning or function poorly. Very few types of mutations are beneficial to organisms. The mutation is also helpful because it makes it possible for some species to adapt to their environments. It can lead to irreversible loss of good characteristics in some species. One of the common medical conditions associated with mutations in humans is sickle cell anemia which occurs due to a mutation of chromosome 11 (Adams, 2009).
Another related issue is sexual reproduction which occurs when different organisms within the same species join their gametes. It leads to higher genetic variation compared to asexual production. This is because in sexual reproduction organisms receive more chromosomes from their parents. Organisms that produce sexually have unique characteristics compared to those produced asexually. They are usually not identical to their parents like those produced asexually. The unique characteristics enable the offspring to prosper in their environments. Sexual reproduction has resulted in the occurrence of many breeds of organisms today.
Migration also affects genetics in various ways. It increases the chances of different organisms within the same species to mate. Organisms in different regions might have different characteristics. Mating enables the organisms to produce offspring with the parent’s characteristics. Migration can cause the subtraction or addition of alleles in a population. For example, if organisms with good genetic characteristics move to another area it causes alleles subtraction in that area. Areas that receive the organisms with good genetic characteristics experience a gain of new genetic characteristics.
Population size also affects genetic diversity. For instance, in a large population, there is usually a variety of gene characteristics. Interbreeding among animals in a large population produces organisms with different genetic information. However, in a small population, there is little genetic pool. This means that there will be lower genetic diversity of animals in a small population interbreed. In addition, the population size of one species can affect the diversity of another species. For example, a larger population of predators can reduce the diversity of their prey.
Conclusively, genetic diversity is important because it enables organisms to survive in their environments. One of the factors that increase genetic diversity includes sexual production. Migration increases genetic diversity if a population acquires new genetic characteristics from their new environment. Mutation can cause genetic diversity if it makes organisms acquire new genetic characteristics that enable them to prosper in their environments. Read More