Population Genetics

Overview

This module uses the PopGen Fishbowl simulator to model natural selection and genetic drift, as well as explore whether populations are at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Duration: 1 - 2 hours

Learning Objectives

  1. Compare and contrast natural selection and genetic drift

  2. Determine if a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium Predict outcomes of interactions between genotypes and environmental pressures

  3. Predict outcomes of interactions between genotypes and environmental pressures

Prerequisites

Students will benefit from some awareness of basic evolutionary theory, particularly Mendelian inheritance, as well as the concepts of phenotypes, genotypes, and the relationship between the two. Students should also understand the concepts of genetic drift and natural selection.

Evaluation

GEMs is an NIH-funded program. Part of our mission is understanding the impact of our materials. Please take the time to review our program as an instructor after this activity. We also appreciate you distributing our survey to students before and after they participate in GEMs content.

You can view our IRB approval here. Feel free to contact the GEMs team with any questions (gems at fredhutch dot org).

Materials

Student Activity

You can use this module in several formats. Feel free to adapt to your needs!

  • Web page: coming soon!
  • Quarto (qmd): coming soon!
  • Word (docx): coming soon!
  • Google Doc

Students will need a device that accesses the internet.

WarningThis content contains URLs

We suggest confirming links are still active prior to running this activity.

In particular, students will be accessing the PopGen Fishbowl simulator.

Instructor Materials

Scientific Topics

Outline

  • Part 1: Modeling Natural Selection and Genetic Drift

  • Part 2: Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium