molecular drive A hypothesis advanced principally to explain the occurrence of concerted evolution. The hypothesis proposes that cohesive genetic change can occur in a population through a process of constant homogenization taking place through the genetic processes of transposition, unequal crossing over, gene conversion, and biased gene conversion, in conjunction with a high rate of sexual randomization of chromosomes relative to the genetic processes. The evolution of such loci (see locus) may be directed (driven) by biases within the genetic processes which are independent of natural selection.

molecular drive The concept that changes within the genome itself affect evolution, quite irrespective of natural selection. Apart from persistent directed mutation, gene conversion occurs so that whole gene families are affected, and a mutation can creep through a population until a threshold is reached when large numbers of mutated individuals appear to arise all at once.

molecular drive The concept that changes within the genome itself affect evolution, quite irrespective of natural selection, a mutation creeping through a population until a threshold is reached when a large number of mutated individuals appear to arise all at once.