genetic drift

noun

1. random changes in the frequency of alleles in a gene pool, usually of small populations.

genetic drift

1. Variation in the frequency of a gene in a small isolated population, thought to be due to random chance rather than natural selection.

genetic drift

1. A term that describes the random fluctuations in a gene pool over time. In large populations, the effects of genetic drift are negligible. ( Compare natural selection .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of genetic drift¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

For some time, they were a small outpost, in which random mutations would make larger differences in the population -- more of what's called "genetic drift" -- as the 1800s became the 1900s.

From Science Daily

The team demonstrated that besides the high impact of genetic drift, which contributed to differences among neighboring groups of different socio-economic status, the descendants of Kwadi speakers and the marginalized communities of the Namib Desert retain a unique Pre-Bantu ancestry that is only found in populations from the Namib desert.

From Science Daily

Its genetic drift is significantly different from BA.4 and BA.5, the variants last year's bivalent boosters were targeted against.

From Salon

The study also identified signs of “genetic drift,” a natural process in which DNA mutates over generations.

From National Geographic

The bivalent vaccines may not stand up very well against these new strains, which are evolving so fast that some experts even argue that we should rename the virus SARS-CoV-3 to emphasize its distant genetic drift from the original pathogen.

From Salon