Gene Flow | Definition, Effects, & Migration - Encyclopedia Britannica

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• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - When gene flow really matters: gene flow in applied evolutionary biology

gene flow genetics Ask Anything Homework Help Also known as: gene migration Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors History Britannica AI Ask Anything Homework Help Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything

gene flow, the introduction of genetic material (by interbreeding) from one population of a species to another, thereby changing the composition of the gene pool of the receiving population. The introduction of new alleles through gene flow increases variability within the population and makes possible new combinations of traits. In humans gene flow usually comes about through the actual migration of human populations, either voluntary or forced.

Also called: gene migration (Show more) Related Topics: interracial marriage in the United States interbreeding population genetics (Show more) See all related content

Although gene flow does not change allele frequencies for a species as a whole, it can alter allele frequencies in local populations. In the case of migration, the greater the difference in allele frequencies between the resident and the migrant individuals, and the larger the number of migrants, the greater the effect the migrants have in changing the genetic constitution of the resident population.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers.