Race and the Role of Sociocultural Context in Forensic Anthropological Ancestry Assessment
Heather M. Garvin, Natalie R. Langley in Case Studies in Forensic Anthropology, 2019
In addition, people categorized into certain groups face individual and structural inequality, which often have tangible, negative biological ramifications, including maternal epigenetic effects that can impact development in utero (e.g., Mulligan, 2016). Therefore, to claim that race is not “real” is to negate and subvert the lived experiences and systematic inequalities faced by individuals whose groups face systemic discrimination; rather, race can be construed as a social reality that produces biological reality, inverting the typical conception of race held by most Americans (Gravlee, 2009). Further, the social construct of race still influences mating decisions for many people in US society (whether explicitly or implicitly), thereby shaping gene flow and the phenotypic traits of subsequent generations.
Evolutionary Biology of Parasitism
Eric S. Loker, Bruce V. Hofkin in Parasitology, 2023
Microevolutionary studies are largely involved with monitoring changes in the distribution and frequency of genes in populations (Box 7.1) and with investigating the causes of those changes. You will recall that we have already discussed parasite populations both from the standpoint of being reservoirs of parasite diversity (Chapter 2) and from their complex structure (Chapter 6). Changes in the distribution and frequency of genes in populations are the essence of evolutionary change. Often changes in the abundance of variant forms (called alleles) of particular genes are followed over space and time by evolutionary biologists. Of particular interest is the extent to which basic evolutionary processes such as mutation, gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection can combine to influence the degree of genetic variability within and among populations. The more populations become differentiated from one another, the more structure they are said to possess. Understanding the microevolutionary process and how it affects parasite populations is important because it helps us to gauge the evolutionary or adaptive potential of these populations. For example, how readily might a particular parasite population evolve drug resistance or withstand a control program? Population genetics studies can also provide unique insights into patterns of transmission, host range, reproductive strategies and pathogenicity of parasites. As we will see, what happens at the microevolutionary scale has considerable potential to impact macroevolutionary events such as speciation as well.
Classification and Systematics
Jacques Derek Charlwood in The Ecology of Malaria Vectors, 2019
These data revealed complex population structure and patterns of gene flow, with evidence of ancient expansions, recent bottlenecks and local variation in effective population size. Within A. gambiae populations fall into two well-defined clades, based on analysis of microsatellite DNA. These are referred to as the Northwest (Nigeria, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Northwest Kenya) and Southeast (Southwest Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi) divisions.
Group-specific component exon 11 haplotypes (D432E and T436K) and risk of albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Published in Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2022
Manal S. Fawzy, Eman A. Toraih, Essam Al Ageeli, Abeer M. Mohamed, Baraah T. Abu AlSel, Shahad W. Kattan, Walla Alelwani
This study was designed to explore the associations of two common GC polymorphisms, rs7041 and rs4588, with T2DM and DN susceptibility in a sample of Saudi population. We observed that rs4588*A allele and genotypes were associated with T2DM susceptibility and DN. Moreover, despite rs7041*T allele not conferred a risk to T2DM in the study population, it was significantly associated with DN in which macroalbuminuria patients’ group showed the highest and the normoalbuminuria group showed the lowest TT genotype frequency. However, rs7041 genotype frequencies in our cases were different from those we would expect under equilibrium. Therefore, we can assume that one or more of the HWE model’s assumptions are being violated. For example, the relatively small sample size of the current study, which could raise the possibility of genetic drift, gene flow between several populations reside in the local region and the nonrandom mating due to high percentage of the parental consanguinity (Alenizi 2014)
Stress memory in two generations of Plantago major from radioactive and chemical contaminated areas after the cessation of exposure
Published in International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2023
Nadezhda S. Shimalina, Vera N. Pozolotina, Natalya A. Orekhova
The development of short roots can be considered as plants’ adaptive trait to the HM-contaminated area. This trait was probably fixed in the population by the selection of resistant genotypes and persisted for three generations after the removal of toxic stress. The assumption of this selection is supported by the decrease in genetic diversity that we observed in P. major populations from the zone of influence of the KCS (Shimalina et al. 2020). It was shown by the case of Lychnis flos-cuculi that loss of genetic variability and high differentiation of plant populations under conditions of TM contamination of soils is associated with a founder or bottle-neck effect during recolonization of heavily contaminated areas or elimination of a significant part of populations under toxic load (Dulya and Mikryukov 2016). Interactions between selection, gene flow, and genetic drift can lead to local adaptation, a mechanism that helps maintain adaptive variability in cenopopopulations (Meyer et al. 2010).
Understanding the role of genetic susceptibility (ACE2 and TMPRSS2) in COVID-19
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2022
Abdullahi Tunde Aborode, Sherifdeen Bamidele Onigbinde, Khadijah Omoshalewa Sanusi, Noah Alaba, Aderinola H. Rasaq-Lawal, Babatunde Samuel Obadawo, Allison Olatoyosi, Saidat Omowunmi Adeniran-Obey, Victor Onwukwe, Uchenna Asogwa, Ridwan Iyanu Arinola, Seun Idowu Imani, Ayoola S. Fasawe, Ibukunoluwa Sodiya, Sherif Babatunde Adeyemi, Gaber El-Saber Batiha
The interchange of genes between populations is known as gene flow, and it is a significant source of genetic variation [2]. While a single mutation can have considerable, specific evolutionary scenarios necessitate many mutations. Polymorphisms are genetic variants that affect more than 1% of the population [2]. Polymorphisms are responsible for many typical differences between people, like the color of the eyes, hair color, and blood types. Though various polymorphisms may not adversely affect an individual’s health, some may increase the risk of developing other disorders [5].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Adaptation
- Allele
- Allele Frequency
- Gene Pool
- Genetic Drift
- Genetic Variation
- Inbreeding
- Population Genetics
- Natural Selection
- Speciation