Question
Question 12
The diagram shows the frequency of alleles A and a in a population over three generations. The starting allele frequency of A is p = 0.6.
The population remains in the same location and does not experience any environmental changes. Which best describes what is happening to the population over three generations?
a
founder effect
b
allopatric speciation
c
reproductive isolation
d
genetic drift
The diagram shows the frequency of alleles A and a in a population over three generations. The starting allele frequency of A is p = 0.6.
The population remains in the same location and does not experience any environmental changes. Which best describes what is happening to the population over three generations?
a
founder effect
b
allopatric speciation
c
reproductive isolation
d
genetic drift
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on the information given, the best description of what is happening to the population over three generations, considering that the population remains in the same location and does not experience environmental changes, is **d) genetic drift**.
Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population from one generation to the next, especially in small populations. Since there's no mention of factors like migration, natural selection, or other processes that would lead to changes in allele frequency due to environmental changes or reproductive isolation, genetic drift is the most appropriate explanation.
The other options can be ruled out because:
- **Founder effect** refers to a situation where a small group from a larger population starts a new population with a different allele frequency.
- **Allopatric speciation** involves geographical separation leading to the formation of new species.
- **Reproductive isolation** refers to mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding.
Since the population is in the same location without environmental changes, genetic drift is the plausible explanation.
Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population from one generation to the next, especially in small populations. Since there's no mention of factors like migration, natural selection, or other processes that would lead to changes in allele frequency due to environmental changes or reproductive isolation, genetic drift is the most appropriate explanation.
The other options can be ruled out because:
- **Founder effect** refers to a situation where a small group from a larger population starts a new population with a different allele frequency.
- **Allopatric speciation** involves geographical separation leading to the formation of new species.
- **Reproductive isolation** refers to mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding.
Since the population is in the same location without environmental changes, genetic drift is the plausible explanation.