The random changes in gene frequencies in a population occurring by chance alone rather than by natural selection are called genetic drift or the Sewall Wright effect. The effects of genetic drift are mostly visible in tiny isolated populations, although it occurs in all people.
Important Notes on Genetic Drift

| Pair of skeletal parts | Category | |
|---|---|---|
| (a)$\,\,$ | Sternum and ribs$\,\,$ | Axial skeleton |
| (b)$\,\,$ | Clavicle and glenoid cavity$\,\,$ | Pelvic girdle |
| (c)$\,\,$ | Flumerus and ulna$\,\,$ | Appendicular skeleton |
| (d)$\,\,$ | Malleus and stapes$\,\,$ | Ear ossicles |
| Convergent evolution | Divergent evolution | |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Eyes of octopus and mammals | Bones of forelimbs of vertebrates |
| (b) | Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita | Wings of butterfly and birds |
| (c) | Bones of forelimbs of vertebrates | Wings of butterfly and birds |
| (d) | Thorns of Bougainvillea and tendrils of Cucurbita | Eyes of octopus and mammals |
Evolution is a process that occurs in changes in the genetic content of a population over time. Evolutionary change is generally classified into two: microevolution and macroevolution. The process of changes in allele frequencies in a population over time is a microevolutionary process. Three main mechanisms that cause allele frequency change are natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. On the other hand, macroevolution refers to change at or above the level of the species.