Chapter

Polymorphism

Abstract

Genetic variation is generated, maintained, and lost in a population by the interplay of various evolutionary forces, including mutation, migration, selection, and random genetic drift. A locus with two or more alleles (e.g., a site represented by two or more different nucleic acid sequences) in a population is considered polymorphic. Polymorphisms can be assayed across a range of molecular levels from changes in single nucleotides to differences in protein structure (e.g., blood groups) to gross chromosomal differences (e.g., inversions).

Authors

Singh RS; Kulathinal RJ

Book title

Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics

Pagination

pp. 398-399

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

February 27, 2013

DOI

10.1016/b978-0-12-374984-0.01189-x

Labels

Fields of Research (FoR)

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