microevolution (thing)

Microevolution is a somewhat general term used to describe evolutionary changes that occur on:

1. a molecular level (changes within DNA, i.e. mutations)
2. an individual organism level (DNA recombination, chromosomal mutations, reproduction, natural selection, etc.); or
3. a population level (genetic drifts, phyletic shifts, founder effects, etc.)

Compare with macroevolution.

From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.