The Concept of Genetic Drift - Essay Example

 In this case, variations in these isolated populations will be more due to genetic drift than natural selection. The molecular clock is a methodology in molecular evolution that uses rates of molecular change and fossil constraints to determine the time in geologic history when two species diverged. The technique is used to approximate the duration of events called radiation or speciation. The molecular statistics for such computations are usually for DNA or amino acid sequences. It is possible to tell that the molecular clock is working because its principle of working is based on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. In addition, the concept of DNA sequence has been integrated into modern fossil dating techniques. In this case, the result obtained from molecular clock techniques is usually compared with those of other methodologies. The molecular clock techniques yield desirable results when the species' generations are not changing from time to time. The population size has to be sizeable to reduce the effect of genetic drift, and the nature of the protein studied requires stability.

According to Sitter (2009), the neutral evolution theory is used for the null hypothesis since it holds that the molecular evolutionary changes and other variations within species are not a result of natural selection but by random drift of neutral mutant alleles. The concept is used to detect natural choice since it works to explain that genes do not experience natural selection but are affected by genetic drift. In this case, if the hypothesis of neutral evolution is not proven, then a national sample has taken place. When a synonymous, also called silent mutation, occurs, the change is frequently assumed to be neutral. This means that the ratio of the organisms not affected by the mutation shows the fitness of the individual with the new gene to reproduce and survive.

Inbreeding is the production of offspring as a result of the breeding of individuals that are closely related genetically. In this case, offspring from given parents are allowed to breed. The progeny from genetically related species is produced as a result of inbreeding. Inbreeding results in the presence of identical recessive genes, making them to be represented in the phenotype. In this case, a large number of genetic disorders emanate from inbreeding. They include reduced fertility rate, low birth rate, high mortality rate, reduced size and non-functional immune system. To the genotype, inbreeding increases the rate of pairing up of recessive genes leading to the pair being indicated as a weakness in the phenotype. Bottlenecking denotes a drastic reduction in the populations of a given species. This reduces the number of possible mating animals leading to a higher chance of inbreeding.