genetic drift

genetic drift

noun

Definition of GENETIC DRIFT

: random changes in gene frequency especially in small populations when leading to preservation or extinction of particular genes

First Known Use of GENETIC DRIFT

1945

Rhymes with GENETIC DRIFT

consonant shift, functional shift, great vowel shift

genetic drift

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of GENETIC DRIFT

: random changes in gene frequency especially in small populations when leading to preservation or extinction of particular genes

genetic drift

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Change in the pool of genes of a small population that takes place strictly by chance. Genetic drift can result in genetic traits being lost from a population or becoming widespread in a population without respect to the survival or reproductive value of the gene pairs (alleles) involved. A random statistical effect, genetic drift can occur only in small, isolated populations in which the gene pool is small enough that chance events can change its makeup substantially. In larger populations, any specific allele is carried by so many individuals that it is almost certain to be transmitted by some of them unless it is biologically unfavourable.