Asked by Marina Kuksgauzen on Jul 22, 2024
Verified
Which of the following mechanisms can disrupt genetic equilibrium?
A) founder effect
B) differential reproduction
C) genetic drift
D) natural selection
E) All of the answer choices describe mechanisms that can disrupt genetic equilibrium.
Genetic Equilibrium
Description for a population in which the frequency of alleles for a given trait is not changing over time.
Founder Effect
Cause of genetic drift due to colonization by a limited number of individuals who, by chance, have different genotype and allele frequencies than the parent population.
Differential Reproduction
A process where individuals with certain traits reproduce more than others, leading to changes in genetic characteristics over generations.
- Comprehend the importance of genetic differences within populations for evolution, along with the effects of natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow on evolutionary progress.
Verified Answer
JR
Justin R. GonzalesJul 26, 2024
Final Answer :
E
Explanation :
All of the listed mechanisms can disrupt genetic equilibrium. The founder effect occurs when a small group of individuals becomes isolated from the larger population, resulting in a loss of genetic diversity. Differential reproduction occurs when certain individuals have greater reproductive success than others, leading to a change in allele frequencies. Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies that can occur in small populations. Natural selection favors certain traits over others, resulting in changes in the genetic makeup of a population over time.
Learning Objectives
- Comprehend the importance of genetic differences within populations for evolution, along with the effects of natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow on evolutionary progress.