Multiple Choice
Which of the following can change the composition of a population's gene pool?
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22. Evolution of Populations
Genetic Variation
Multiple Choice
Which of the following are two primary mechanisms by which genetic variation is preserved in a population?
A
Genetic drift and inbreeding
B
Gene flow and balancing selection
C
Directional selection and bottleneck effect
D
Founder effect and genetic hitchhiking
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of genetic variation. Genetic variation refers to the diversity in gene frequencies within a population, which is essential for evolution and adaptation.
Step 2: Review the mechanisms that preserve genetic variation. These mechanisms ensure that genetic diversity is maintained rather than reduced over time. Two primary mechanisms are gene flow and balancing selection.
Step 3: Define gene flow. Gene flow occurs when individuals migrate between populations, introducing new alleles and maintaining genetic diversity. This prevents populations from becoming genetically isolated.
Step 4: Define balancing selection. Balancing selection is a type of natural selection that maintains multiple alleles in a population. Examples include heterozygote advantage (where heterozygous individuals have higher fitness) and frequency-dependent selection (where the fitness of a phenotype depends on its frequency in the population).
Step 5: Eliminate incorrect options by understanding their effects. Genetic drift and inbreeding reduce genetic variation, directional selection favors one allele over others, and bottleneck/founder effects decrease diversity due to population size reduction. Genetic hitchhiking is linked to selection but does not preserve variation.
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