Genetics · Module 16 · Population and evolutionary genetics

Population Genetics Lab

Run replicate populations with selection, drift, migration, mutation and inbreeding all switched on; work randomized majors-level problems with hints and animated worked solutions; match each force to what it does to variation; and apply population genetics to real cases. Nothing here is graded.

Part 1: Population Simulator

AA (solid violet)Aa (half and half)aa (gold, open centre) Squares male, circles female No-drift expectation or theory (dashed)One coloured line per replicate
Simulation readouts
MeasureValue

Model: separate sexes with non-overlapping generations. Each generation: gametes form and mutate (A to a at rate μ, a to A at rate ν), a fraction m is replaced by migrant genes from a source population, gametes unite with inbreeding coefficient F (genotypes p²(1 − F) + pF and so on), zygotes survive in proportion to their fitness w, and Nm males and Nf females are drawn at random from the survivors (genetic drift). Mutation rates are set far above real rates (about 10−5) so their effect shows within 150 generations. Each panel shows up to 24 individuals; for larger populations they are a sample in the right proportions.