Blog Post: Module 8

    Genetic variation can be limited by natural selection as natural selection can alter a species by increasing or decreasing the gene frequencies. Natural selection in population occurs when an organism’s trait has the ability to help a species survive and reproduce. Even though natural selection can decrease the variation within a species, genetic variation cannot be eroded over time as genetic variation is vital for natural selection given that it can only alter the frequency of alleles that are already present in the population. Genetic variation is essential in order to create diverse variations of allele frequencies. 

    There are a many diverse mechanisms that can explain why genetic variation is maintained in populations including mutations and genetic drift. Natural selection may limit variation, however, we also have to take into account how mutations will always remain present in populations, given that they occur randomly. Genetic drift is responsible for changing allele frequencies in a population over a period of time, which ensures that variation is still maintained throughout populations. Natural selection cannot just destroy genetic variation since there are many other factors that play a role in diversifying populations. 

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