Which of the following processes decreases genetic variation in small populations?(1 point)

Question

Responses

Mutation
Mutation

Genetic drift
Genetic drift

Gene flow
Gene flow

Independent assortment

Answer 1

The correct response is Genetic drift.

Genetic drift is a process that can lead to a reduction in genetic variation, especially in small populations, due to random fluctuations in allele frequencies from one generation to the next. The other processes listed—mutation, gene flow, and independent assortment—either introduce new genetic variation or shuffle existing variation rather than directly decreasing it.