Question
Biology Question on evolution
Genetic drift operates in :-
A
Small isolated population
B
Large isolated population
C
Fast reproductive population
D
Slow reproductive population
Answer
Small isolated population
Explanation
Solution
The random changes in gene frequencies in a population occurring by chance alone rather than by natural selection are called genetic drift or the Sewall Wright effect. The effects of genetic drift are mostly visible in tiny isolated populations, although it occurs in all people.
Important Notes on Genetic Drift
- By genetic drift often the phenotype of this small population becomes different from the parent population.
- According to the Hardy-Weinberg principle, there are many factors that contribute to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Any change to this results in evolution.
- Gene flow, genetic drift, mutation, genetic recombination, and natural selection can affect this equilibrium.
- Gene frequency changes in the population during migration as new alleles get lost from the older population.
- Gene flow occurs when gene migration happens multiple times. If it occurs by chance, it is called genetic drift.
- The population from which the new one was formed became founders and this is called the founder effect.
