When multiple different alleles for a gene are present in a species's population it is called polymorphic. Most different alleles are functionally equivalent, however some alleles can give rise to different phenotypic traits. A gene's most common allele is called the wild type, and rare alleles are called mutants. The genetic variation in relative frequencies of different alleles in a population is due to both natural selection and genetic drift. The wild-type allele is not necessarily the ancestor of less common alleles, nor is it necessarily fitter. COUNT 5
QSN1 What is it called when multiple different alleles for a gene are present in a species's population? ANS1 polymorphic QSN2 What can some alleles give rise to? ANS2 different phenotypic traits QSN3 What is a gene's most common allele known as? ANS3 the wild type QSN4 What are rare alleles called? ANS4 mutants QSN5 What is one cause of the genetic variation in relative frequencies of different alleles in a population? ANS5 genetic drift