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Multiple Choice
Which of the following events do biologists consider a random change in the context of natural selection and evolution?
A
Gene flow
B
Genetic drift
C
Adaptive radiation
D
Natural selection
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of genetic drift: Genetic drift refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles (variations of a gene) in a population. These changes are not due to natural selection but occur by chance, especially in small populations.
Differentiate between genetic drift and natural selection: While natural selection involves changes in allele frequencies due to differential survival and reproduction, genetic drift is purely random and does not necessarily lead to adaptation.
Consider the role of population size: Genetic drift has a more significant effect in small populations where random events can lead to large changes in allele frequencies over generations.
Identify examples of genetic drift: Examples include the bottleneck effect, where a population's size is drastically reduced, and the founder effect, where a new population is established by a small number of individuals.
Compare genetic drift with other evolutionary mechanisms: Gene flow involves the transfer of alleles between populations, adaptive radiation is the evolution of diverse species from a common ancestor, and natural selection is the process where traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common.