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Multiple Choice
Which evolutionary process is most likely to occur when populations of the same species become geographically isolated from each other?
A
Allopatric speciation
B
Genetic drift
C
Sympatric speciation
D
Gene flow
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the key terms: Allopatric speciation refers to the formation of new species due to geographic isolation, genetic drift involves random changes in allele frequencies, sympatric speciation occurs without geographic isolation, and gene flow is the exchange of genes between populations.
Identify the scenario described in the problem: Populations of the same species become geographically isolated from each other. This means there is a physical barrier preventing interaction between the populations.
Eliminate options that are inconsistent with geographic isolation: Gene flow requires interaction between populations, so it is unlikely to occur in this scenario. Sympatric speciation does not involve geographic isolation, so it is also not applicable here.
Focus on the remaining options: Allopatric speciation and genetic drift. Allopatric speciation is directly tied to geographic isolation, while genetic drift can occur in any population but is not specifically caused by isolation.
Conclude that the most likely evolutionary process in this scenario is allopatric speciation, as it directly results from geographic isolation leading to the divergence of populations into separate species over time.