Question

Which one of the following statements about genetic drift is accurate?

• A. Like mutation, drift increases genetic variation within a population
• B. Drift typically increases genetic differences between populations
• C. Drift typically reinforces the effects of natural selection in populations
• D. Drift increases with population size, leading to faster evolution

Hint:

In studies of evolution, consider both genetic drift and natural selection, as both can influence genetic diversity but in very different ways.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Define Genetic Drift.
Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies in a population, primarily affecting small populations due to the stronger impact of chance events.

Step 2: Contrast with Mutation.
Unlike mutation, which introduces new genetic variations, genetic drift does not create new alleles. Instead, it often reduces genetic variation by randomly fixing or eliminating alleles over time.

Step 3: Impact on Different Populations.
Different populations may experience different random shifts in allele frequencies. As a result, genetic drift can increase genetic divergence between populations, especially when they are isolated.

Step 4: Consider Population Size.
Genetic drift is more pronounced in small populations. In large populations, the effect of random sampling is diluted, and allele frequencies tend to remain more stable over generations.

Conclusion: Genetic drift reduces variation within populations and increases differences between populations, especially in small, isolated groups.