MICROEVOLUTION Meaning and
Definition
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Microevolution is a term used in biology to refer to the small-scale changes that occur within a population over a relatively short period of time. It is the phenomenon where gene frequencies and traits within a species gradually shift over generations. This process primarily happens through the mechanisms of natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
Natural selection is the driving force behind microevolution, favoring traits that increase an organism's likelihood of survival and reproduction. Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to future generations. Genetic drift, on the other hand, refers to random changes in gene frequencies within a population due to chance events.
Mutation, an alteration in the genetic material of an organism, introduces new genetic variation into a population. These mutations can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral, and their accumulation over time can lead to significant changes in a population.
Gene flow occurs when individuals migrate between populations, bringing their genetic material with them and potentially altering the genetic composition of both populations.
These various mechanisms collectively contribute to microevolution, resulting in changes in the frequency of genetic traits within populations. It is important to note that microevolution occurs within a single species and over relatively short time frames, unlike macroevolution, which refers to larger-scale changes over longer periods that can result in the formation of new species.
Common Misspellings for MICROEVOLUTION
- nicroevolution
- kicroevolution
- jicroevolution
- mucroevolution
- mjcroevolution
- mkcroevolution
- mocroevolution
- m9croevolution
- m8croevolution
- mixroevolution
- mivroevolution
- mifroevolution
- midroevolution
- miceoevolution
- micdoevolution
- micfoevolution
- mictoevolution
- mic5oevolution
- mic4oevolution
- miceroevolution
- microevoluton
- microevoultion
- microevolutional
Etymology of MICROEVOLUTION
The word "microevolution" is derived from two separate components: "micro" and "evolution".
1. "Micro": The prefix "micro" originates from the Greek word "mikrós", meaning "small" or "little". In scientific terminology, it is commonly used to refer to something on a small scale or at a microscopic level. In the context of evolution, "micro" emphasizes the concept of small-scale changes.
2. "Evolution": The term "evolution" comes from the Latin word "evolutio", which means "unrolling" or "opening up". It is derived from the verb "evolvere", which combines "e-" (meaning "out") and "volvere" (meaning "to roll"). The idea of evolution is associated with the gradual, continuous change and development of organisms over successive generations.
Similar spelling word for MICROEVOLUTION
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