Genetic Diversity

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Genetic Diversity

Similarities and differences in DNA result in genetic diversity, because of this organisms are very varied and there is around 5 million to 10 million species which have been discovered or are still waiting to be discovered. Even between the same species there are a multitude of differences.

Genetic Diversity

  • Similarities and differences between organisms is defined by the variation in their DNA and so it is the differences in DNA between species which lead to the wide genetic diversity on Earth.
  • All members of the same species have the same genes, but it is the alleles which they possess which lead to the genetic diversity within the species. For example; all humans have the gene for blood group, but it is the allele which they possess (allele for blood group A/B/AB/O) which makes them genetically different.
  • Therefore organisms differ in their alleles not genes and it is the combination of alleles they posses that make speicies and individual's within the same species, differ from one another.
  • The greater the number of different alleles that all members of a species possess, the greater the genetic diversity of that species.
  • The greater the genetic diversity of the species, the more likely they will be able to adapt to an environmental change; this is because the species will have

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