Describe genetic drift and the bottleneck effect

Question 1

What is genetic drift?

Answer 1

Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies within a population over time due to chance events.

Question 2

True or False: Genetic drift has a more significant effect in large populations than in small populations.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Fill in the blank: The __________ effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when a population’s size is significantly reduced for at least one generation.

Answer 3

bottleneck

Question 4

What is the primary consequence of the bottleneck effect?

Answer 4

The primary consequence is a loss of genetic diversity within the population.

Question 5

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a potential cause of genetic drift? A) Natural selection B) Mutation C) Random mating D) Catastrophic events

Answer 5

D) Catastrophic events

Question 6

What is one example of a scenario that can lead to a bottleneck effect?

Answer 6

A natural disaster that drastically reduces the population size.

Question 7

True or False: Genetic drift can lead to the fixation of harmful alleles in a population.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Short Answer: How does genetic drift differ from natural selection?

Answer 8

Genetic drift is a random process, while natural selection is a non-random process driven by environmental pressures.

Question 9

What is the founder effect?

Answer 9

The founder effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to reduced genetic variation.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: Genetic drift can lead to __________ in allele frequencies in small populations over time.

Answer 10

random changes