The neutral theory of molecular evolution states that the majority of mutants at the molecular level were selectively insignificant or "neutral", and evolution at the molecular level was largely a matter of random genetic drift (1).
While the neutral theory looked at evolution at a molecular level, natural selection views it at a phenotypic level. Moreover, the natural selection focuses on the allele that will provide the greatest fitness to a population and the neutral theory believes fitness will be due to random genetic drift.
Reference:
1. Neutral theory of molecular evolution. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2021, from https://authors.library.caltech.edu/5456/1/hrst.mit.edu/hrs/evolution/public/neutraltheory.html
You did a great job of explaining two important aspects of phenotypes and the presence of genetic drift. I wonder how fitness is impacted with the neutral theory since the polymorphism function usually does not change.
ReplyDeleteI agree and think that it is really important to note how one theory focuses on genotype and the on phenotype. It is interesting how different each of these theories are yet they both are sources of evolution.
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