Asked by Andrew Rainey on Jun 16, 2024

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Which term refers to a population with only a few individuals and thus a limited ability to rebuild due to a lack of genetic diversity? 

A)  founder effect 
B)  demographic bottleneck 
C)  inbreeding depression 
D)  genetic drift

Demographic Bottleneck

A sharp reduction in the size of a population due to environmental events or human activities, leading to a decrease in genetic diversity and potential survival challenges for the population.

Genetic Drift

A mechanism of evolution that involves random fluctuations in the frequencies of alleles (variations of a gene) in a population, particularly in small populations.

Inbreeding Depression

A decrease in biological fitness and health in a population due to breeding between closely related individuals.

  • Detail the significance of genetic variation for the continuance of populations and discuss the implications of the founder effect, demographic bottleneck, and inbreeding depression.
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Iyanu AjibadeJun 16, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
A demographic bottleneck refers to a population that has gone through a drastic reduction in numbers, which can result in a limited gene pool with reduced genetic diversity. This can lead to inbreeding depression and reduced ability to adapt to environmental changes, making it difficult for the population to rebuild their numbers. The founder effect is similar to a bottleneck, but occurs when a small group of individuals colonize a new area, resulting in limited genetic diversity in the new population. Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies that can occur in any population, but is more likely to have a significant impact in small populations.