Multiple Choice
What is the primary difference between genetic drift and gene flow?
230
views
22. Evolution of Populations
Genetic Drift
Struggling with General Biology?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which term describes a change in allele frequency following a dramatic reduction in the size of a population?
A
Natural selection
B
Founder effect
C
Bottleneck effect
D
Gene flow
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the context: The problem is asking about a specific evolutionary mechanism that results in a change in allele frequency due to a dramatic reduction in population size.
Review the definitions of the terms provided: Natural selection refers to the process where individuals with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic diversity. Gene flow involves the transfer of alleles between populations due to migration. The bottleneck effect refers to a sharp reduction in population size due to events like natural disasters, which can lead to a loss of genetic diversity.
Identify the key feature of the bottleneck effect: A dramatic reduction in population size causes certain alleles to be lost or become more common purely by chance, leading to a change in allele frequency.
Compare the definitions: The bottleneck effect specifically matches the scenario described in the problem, as it involves a change in allele frequency following a population size reduction.
Conclude that the correct term describing this phenomenon is the bottleneck effect, as it aligns with the problem's description of a dramatic reduction in population size and its impact on allele frequencies.
Related Videos
Related Practice
