Question

Why are the gene pools of small populations reduced compared to those of larger populations? (1 point)
Responses

lack of suitable mates
lack of suitable mates
inbreeding
inbreeding
bottleneck events
bottleneck events
lack of advantageous traits

Answer 1

The gene pools of small populations are reduced compared to those of larger populations primarily due to **inbreeding**. In small populations, individuals are more likely to breed with close relatives, which can reduce genetic diversity and result in a higher likelihood of deleterious traits being expressed. This is in contrast to larger populations, where there is a greater variety of potential mates, leading to a more diverse gene pool.