Genetic diversity is the variability of genes in offspring.
Genetic diversity is the process of inheritance by forming recombinant genes in offspring from parents. In this article let us discuss in detailed on genetic diversity examples.
Genetic diversity usually helps in the formation of unique offspring mainly through sexual reproduction. In nature gene mutation, gene flow and genetic drift may cause genetic diversity.
Genetic diversity helps in the formation variety of plants and it also helps in the formation of different physical attributes.
Genetic diversity in humans:
In humans we can observe different physical traits comes from parents. They include height, eye colour, skin colour and hair colour, facial features, finger prints etc.
This happens because of formation different alleles in genes in recombinant DNA.
Genetic diversity in plants:
In plants genetic diversity is very important to form different types and varieties of plant species.
Genetic diversity in maize plants:
In maize plants starch producing gene is modified to get more varieties of maize plants and to increase in the production of starch.
In maize plants starch is produced in two forms like amylopectin and amylose.
Genetic diversity in rose plants:
In Rose plants genetic diversity is characterised by allopolyploidization and hybridization techniques to produce different types of roses with colour difference, size, flower weight, number of petals in flower, oil content, number of stamens, flower diameter, peduncle length.
Genetic diversity in rice plants:
Rice plant species are being modified to produce more quantity, drought resistance species as these are more friendly to farmers and easy to grow.
Genetic diversity in wheat plants:
In wheat plants genetic diversity produced improved variety of wheat plant to give more yield, disease resistance and abiotic stress tolerance.
Genetic diversity in mango plant:
In mango plants genetic diversity has played a key role in the formation of different species to get more yield, taste and size in mangoes. In India 1000 varieties are genetically modified.
Genetic diversity in medicinal plants:
In medicinal plants genetic diversity helps to produce different chemical components which are important in medicinal use.
Genetic diversity in apple plant:
Apple plant are genetically modified to attain future disease tolerance and nutrition improvement, color, size, taste in apples.
Genetic diversity in animals:
Genetic diversity in animals aids in the production of different breeds.
Mainly genetic diversity is seen in dogs. Through this many types of dog breeds are produced.
In animals genetic diversity helps to increase the chance of survival and ability to adapt to climate changes, to produce different varieties of cattle, sheep etc.
Woody plant species:
Woody plant species show more genetic diversity as they have more geographical area, out crossing breeding system, animal digested seed dispersal and wind.
Generalist Vs specialist:
Generalist species eat a variety of food, so that they can survive easily in any environment. Racoon, rat, cockroach, mice, white tail deer are the best examples for generalist species.
But specialist species eat only habitant food. They are strictly bound to habitant food. Panda, owl, hummingbird, venus flytrap are examples of specialist species.
Is there genetic diversity in mitosis?
In mitosis genetic diversity generally does not take place as in the duplication of cells parental DNA gets transformed into new cell.
Genetic diversity does not take place in mitosis process. As in mitosis no recombination of DNA takes place. But sometimes genetic diversity may happen due to mutations in genes.
Mitosis is the process of cell division where a single cell is divided into two similar cells. Mitosis occurs to repair the damaged cells and cell growth.
Mitosis can be seen in plants, animals and in fungi. It is somatic cell division. It usually occurs in cell nucleus.
Is there genetic diversity in meiosis?
In meiosis process genetic diversity takes place as the DNA from both the parents combine to form recombinant DNA molecule.
In meiosis the genetic diversity occurs during the formation of zygote. In zygote formation the DNA from both the parents from recombinant DNA molecule.
Meiosis is the process of cell division where the germ cells undergo cell division to form zygote. During meiosis the DNA strands from both the parents recombine and express inheritance in offspring.
It usually takes place two phases like meiosis-I meiosis-II.
Species diversity vs. genetic diversity:
Species diversity is nothing but having different species in a particular area. It refers to various present in particular geographical area.
Genetic diversity means having diversity among the same species. It refers to diversity in within the species in a geographical region. It is mainly maintained by genes.
| Species diversity | Genetic diversity |
| Refers to different species | Refers to same species |
| Refers to trait of community | Refers to trait of species |
| Aids the biotic interactions and stability of the community. | Aids the adaptability and distribution of a particular species. |
Read More On: DNA Structure | A detailed insight with all crucial aspects
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is meant by mutation?
Mutation means the change in a gene sequence which may alter the genetic message from generation to another generation.
What is the importance of genetic diversity?
Genetic diversity aids the survival of organisms by changing their habits according to the environmental changes.
What are the types of mutations?
Mutations are generally two types. They are chromosomal mutations and gene mutations.
Chromosomal mutations:
The mutations may occur unexpectedly in chromosome during meiosis or by some mutagens. The chromosomal mutations are four types.
Gene mutations:
The mutations may occur in one or more genes. Gene mutations are 7 types.
Also Read:
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- Brewer s yeast
- Is fatty acid polar
- Do animal cells have centrioles
- Enzymes and respiratory
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- Cytoskeleton
- Cell without cytoplasm
- Lobster characteristics
- Rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Hi…I am Nagasrilakshmi Narne, a postgraduate in Biotechnology and English. also completed my B.Ed. I worked in Vimtalabs as a project trainee and I have work experience as a faculty of English. So I can explain topics in simple language.
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