Genetic Diversity: Mutations, Sexual Reproduction, Migration, and Population Size
Genetic diversity is the variation in the characteristics inherited from the parent organisms in a population of a specific species. This diversity is extremely important for the survival of a species as it allows for the survival of certain members when a portion of the group is destroyed either through disease, changing environments, or other factors that are detrimental to their survival. Genetic diversity can come about through a number of ways: mutations, sexual reproduction, migration, and population size. Mutations are changes in the alleles that introduce new genetic information into a group. While some mutations are readily visible (two-headed snakes, five-legged sheep, frogs with six-eyes, etc.), many other mutations are not so obvious. An organism that is susceptible to a certain disease, for example. While mutations will introduce new characteristics into a populatio...