Are you curious to know what is a fixed allele? You have come to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about a fixed allele in a very simple explanation. Without further discussion let’s begin to know what is a fixed allele?
What Is A Fixed Allele?
In genetics, an allele refers to one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that exist at a particular locus (location) on a chromosome. A fixed allele is an allele that is present in 100% of a population’s individuals, meaning that all members of the population have the same version of the gene.
The concept of a fixed allele is important in population genetics, as it can be used to infer important information about a population’s genetic diversity and evolutionary history. When an allele becomes fixed in a population, it means that there has been no variation in that gene over time, and it is now a permanent feature of the population’s genetic makeup.
A fixed allele can occur due to a variety of factors, including genetic drift, gene flow, and natural selection. Genetic drift refers to the random fluctuation of allele frequencies in a population over time, and it can lead to the loss or fixation of alleles. Gene flow, or the movement of individuals and their genes between populations, can also lead to the fixation of an allele in a new population.
Natural selection can also play a role in fixing alleles in a population. When an allele confers a selective advantage, meaning that individuals with that allele are more likely to survive and reproduce, it can become more common over time and eventually become fixed in the population.
One example of a fixed allele is the ability to digest lactose in adulthood. In many human populations, the ability to digest lactose declines after childhood. However, in populations that historically relied on dairy products as a food source, a mutation that allows for lactose digestion has become fixed in the population, meaning that all individuals in that population can digest lactose as adults.
Conclusion
In summary, a fixed allele refers to an allele that is present in 100% of a population’s individuals. It can occur due to genetic drift, gene flow, or natural selection and is an important concept in population genetics. By studying fixed alleles, researchers can learn more about a population’s genetic diversity and evolutionary history.
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FAQ
What Does It Mean When An Allele Is Fixed?
To “fix” an allele means that the allele is present at a frequency of 1.0, so all individuals in the population have the same allele at a locus. Large effective population sizes and an even distribution in allele frequencies tend to decrease the probability that an allele will become fixed.
What Is A Fixed Allele Example?
One example of a fixed allele is the DGAT-1 exon 8 in Anatolian buffalo. A non-conservative mutation in the DGAT-1 allele produces a protein with a lysine at position 232 instead of an alanine. This mutation produces a protein different from the wild-type protein.
What Is A Fixed Vs Lost Allele?
When the allelic frequency in a population reaches 1.0, the allele is the only one left in the population, and it becomes fixed for that allele. The other allele is permanently lost. In populations in which an allele has become either fixed or lost, the process of random genetic drift stops at that locus.
How Do You Know When An Allele Becomes Fixed?
Once the frequency of the allele is at 100%, i.e. being the only gene variant present in any member, it is said to be “fixed” in the population.
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