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Multiple Choice
Which of the following can change the composition of a population's gene pool?
A
Mutation
B
Random mating without selection
C
Stable environment
D
Constant population size with no migration
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of a population's gene pool: A gene pool refers to the complete set of genetic information within all individuals of a population. Changes in the gene pool occur due to factors that alter allele frequencies.
Analyze the role of mutation: Mutations introduce new alleles into the gene pool, which can change its composition. Mutations are random changes in DNA sequences and are a primary source of genetic variation.
Evaluate random mating without selection: Random mating ensures that alleles are distributed randomly among offspring, but it does not inherently change the composition of the gene pool unless combined with other factors like mutation or selection.
Consider the impact of a stable environment: A stable environment typically does not exert selective pressures that would favor certain alleles over others, so it is unlikely to change the gene pool composition significantly.
Assess constant population size with no migration: If the population size remains constant and there is no migration, the gene pool composition is unlikely to change unless mutations occur or other evolutionary forces act on the population.