Question

Gene flow occurs through generations. Gene flow can occur across language barriers in humans. If we have a technique of measuring specific allele frequencies in different populations of the world, can we not predict human migratory patterns in pre-history and history? Do you agree or disagree? Provide an explanation to your answer.

Answer 1

Gene flow

The movement of genes from one population to another due to migration of the individuals is called gene flow. Due to interbreeding of the migrant populations, new alleles are added or removed therefore changing the gene frequency.

Human migration

● Human migratory patterns can be predicted by measuring the allele frequencies in different populations.

● Mutational studies help in locating mutations in the $DNA$ of various populations. The mutations can be mapped to the location of populations thus helping in finding out the human migration patterns.

● Scientists have analysed $Y$ chromosomes and mitochondrial $DNA$ to study various migratory patterns. Evidence shows that the first migration took place from Africa and humans travelled to the Middle East towards Asia and India.