Question:
Identify a force that reduces the variation within a population by losing alleles. ______________
Identify a force that reduces the variation within a population by losing alleles. ______________
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Genetic Drift = Randomness. It is most dangerous in small populations where chance can wipe out useful genetic traits.
Updated On: Aug 20, 2026
- Gene migration
- Natural selection
- Genetic drift
- Both 1 & 2
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question focuses on population genetics, specifically identifying a mechanism that causes a random loss of genetic diversity in a population.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Definition of Genetic Drift: Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies from one generation to the next due to chance events. It is particularly powerful in small populations.
• Loss of Alleles: Because drift is random, it can cause rare alleles to disappear entirely from a population, even if they are beneficial. This leads to a reduction in the overall genetic variation.
• Comparison with other forces:
- Gene migration: Usually *increases* variation within a population by introducing new alleles from other populations.
- Natural selection: Can increase or decrease variation depending on the type of selection (stabilizing, directional, or disruptive), but it is a "non-random" process.
• Foresters' Concern: In small, isolated populations or when collecting seeds from only a few trees, genetic drift can lead to a "genetic bottleneck," reducing the adaptive potential of the future forest.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Genetic drift is the force that reduces variation through the random loss of alleles.
The question focuses on population genetics, specifically identifying a mechanism that causes a random loss of genetic diversity in a population.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Definition of Genetic Drift: Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies from one generation to the next due to chance events. It is particularly powerful in small populations.
• Loss of Alleles: Because drift is random, it can cause rare alleles to disappear entirely from a population, even if they are beneficial. This leads to a reduction in the overall genetic variation.
• Comparison with other forces:
- Gene migration: Usually *increases* variation within a population by introducing new alleles from other populations.
- Natural selection: Can increase or decrease variation depending on the type of selection (stabilizing, directional, or disruptive), but it is a "non-random" process.
• Foresters' Concern: In small, isolated populations or when collecting seeds from only a few trees, genetic drift can lead to a "genetic bottleneck," reducing the adaptive potential of the future forest.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Genetic drift is the force that reduces variation through the random loss of alleles.
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