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Researchers have identified a gene that determines the inflammatory response of lung cells to infection with a virus - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 32 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 32
Researchers have identified a gene that determines the inflammatory response of lung cells to infection with a virus. An allele of this gene is associated with incre... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Researchers have identified a gene that determines the inflammatory response of lung cells to infection with a virus - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 32 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how mutation could lead to differences in gene pools
Answer
Mutation is likely to be the underlying cause of the allele's presence in different populations. Mutations can arise due to environmental factors or spontaneous occurrences. In populations where there are higher frequencies of the allele, such as South Asians, it could be indicative of a greater rate of beneficial mutations occurring in response to historical infection pressures.
Step 2
Explain how natural selection could lead to differences in gene pools
Answer
Natural selection operates when individuals with certain genotypes have better survival and reproductive rates. In populations with a high prevalence of the allele, individuals who possess the allele may experience increased survival against viral infections, leading to a greater likelihood of passing on this beneficial trait to subsequent generations.
Step 3
Explain how genetic drift could lead to differences in gene pools
Answer
Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies in small populations. In smaller groups, the allele might be lost or fixed simply by chance. This random sampling effect can lead to significant differences in allele frequencies among populations over generations, especially in isolated groups.
Step 4
Explain how gene flow could lead to differences in gene pools
Answer
Gene flow involves the movement of alleles between populations through migration. If individuals move from one population to another, they can introduce or increase the frequency of particular alleles. However, if migration rates are low, distinct populations may continue to diverge and show significant differences in allele frequencies over time.