What causes genetic variation in a population

A lot of factors cause genetic variation in a population. The root of all genetic variation is mutations, which occur randomly.

A lot of genetic variation in fact results during meiosis, the process by which gametes (sex/reproductive cells) are formed. The 3 main ways are crossing over, independent assortment of chromosomes, and random fertilization. Crossing over occurs during Prophase I of meiosis, in which genetic material is exchanged between nonsister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. Independent assortment refers to the following: When cells divide during meiosis, homologous chromosomes are randomly distributed during anaphase I, separating and segregating independently of each other.  Random fertilization is where any sperm can fertilize any egg cell. The many combinations of eggs and sperms mean variation.

Another source of genetic variation include gene flow. Gene flow is where populations have their members enter other populations (migration), influencing the gene pool of populations. This source is more controversial, however.

Random mating can also increase genetic variation.

it has to be understood that the sea water contains a huge amount of sodium and chlorine ions and if they enter the cell of the atlantic cod fish, the cell will shrivel and the fish will die. to avoid such a condition, the fish uses active transport for the purpose of removing the ions against the gradient.

explanation:

the atlantic cod is not a maritime osmoconformer. its native application of salts is less than that of the seawater it lives in. it is continually falling water from the gills to the ocean via osmosis.

countering that, the fish is going to be swallowing seawater. but since its internal collection of salts is lower than seawater, the fish will want to go free of excess salt, and since that's going upon a gradient, then active transport, requiring energy, must be used to pump out the salt. much marine fish use the organs to filter out the salt and these fish discharge very straight urine.