To determine the evolutionary history of a gene,geneticists assume that the most prevalent alleles in a population

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Geneticists assume that the most prevalent alleles in a population are the oldest because they have had the most time to accumulate and spread through the population. This assumption is based on the principle of genetic drift, which states that over time, random fluctuations in allele frequency can lead to the fixation of certain alleles in a population, especially in small populations or those with limited gene flow. Therefore, the most common alleles may be considered ancestral or ancient, and can provide insight into the evolutionary history of a gene or population. Dominance, mutation rate, and radiation exposure may affect the selective advantage of certain alleles, but do not necessarily determine their prevalence in a population. Recent mutations may be rare or have not had enough time to spread widely, and may not reflect the ancestral state of the gene.

To Determine the Evolutionary History of a Gene,geneticists Assume That