AQA · A-Level · Biology
Course version: 7402 · Version from Sept 2016
Genetic diversity as the number of different alleles of genes in a…
Full specification wording
Genetic diversity and adaptation: Genetic diversity as the number of different alleles of genes in a population.
Genetic diversity is defined strictly as the number of different alleles of genes in a population.
Checked against the AQA 7402 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 11
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Genetic diversity is defined strictly as the number of different alleles of genes in a population. It is not the number of genes, nor the number of species. All members of a species carry the same genes; what differs is which version, or allele, of each gene they possess. A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area that can interbreed. The greater the number of different alleles present in this population, the greater the genetic diversity. High genetic diversity is crucial because it provides a wider range of phenotypes, meaning there is more variation for natural selection to act upon if environmental conditions change.
What earns the marks
- Defining genetic diversity as the number of different alleles of genes in a population.
- Stating that greater genetic diversity means a wider variety of alleles are present.
- Explaining that higher genetic diversity provides more variation for natural selection to act on.
- Identifying that a population consists of individuals of the same species in a specific area.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Defining genetic diversity as the number of genes, rather than the number of different alleles.
Defining genetic diversity as the number of species, which actually describes species diversity.
Confusing genetic diversity within a population with the size of the population itself.
Exam tips
- Always include both 'alleles' and 'population' in your definition of genetic diversity to ensure clarity.
- Link high genetic diversity to an increased ability of a population to adapt to environmental changes.
Try the lesson
The start of the Genetic diversity and adaptation: Genetic diversity as the number of different alleles of genes in a population. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
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Which definition describes genetic diversity within a population?
Listen
Genetic diversity is defined strictly as the number of different alleles of genes in a population. It is not the number of genes, nor the number of species. All members of a species carry the same genes; what differs is which version, or allele, of each gene they possess. A population is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area that can interbreed. The greater the number of different alleles present in this population, the greater the genetic diversity. High genetic diversity is crucial because it provides a wider range of phenotypes, meaning there is more variation for natural selection to act upon if environmental conditions change. A strong answer earns marks for these points. defining genetic diversity as the number of different alleles of genes in a population. stating that greater genetic diversity means a wider variety of alleles are present. explaining that higher genetic diversity provides more variation for natural selection to act on. identifying that a population consists of individuals of the same species in a specific area. Exam tip: Always include both 'alleles' and 'population' in your definition of genetic diversity to ensure clarity.
Key words
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genetic diversity
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population
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variation for natural selection
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See every definition
- genetic diversity
- The number of different alleles of genes in a population.
- population
- A group of individuals of the same species living in the same area that can interbreed.
- variation for natural selection
- A wider range of phenotypes provided by high genetic diversity, giving more variation for natural selection to act upon if environmental conditions change.
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