henry was studying two populations of the same species of lizards. one population lived on an island and the…
henry was studying two populations of the same species of lizards. one population lived on an island and the other lived on the mainland. both populations were affected by a hurricane that hit the island and the mainland with equal force. a year later, henry was testing the gene frequency and saw a decrease in genetic variation in the island species, but not in the mainland species. which best describes a conclusion he might have reached?\n○ gene flow greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.\n○ genetic drift greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.\n○ gene flow greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.\n○ genetic drift greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.
Answer
Brief Explanations:
- First, recall the concepts: Genetic drift is the change in gene frequency due to chance events, and it has a greater impact on small populations. Gene flow is the transfer of genes between populations.
- In this case, the island population (likely small) had a decrease in genetic variation after the hurricane (a chance event), while the mainland (likely larger) did not. This matches genetic drift affecting small populations more, and large populations being less affected (can "recover" or not be as impacted).
- Analyze the options:
- Option 1: Talks about gene flow, but the scenario is about a chance event (hurricane) affecting gene frequency, not gene flow (transfer between populations). Eliminate.
- Option 2: Says genetic drift affects small populations (island) greatly, and large (mainland) can recover. This fits the scenario.
- Option 3: Incorrect about gene flow and population sizes. Eliminate.
- Option 4: Incorrectly says genetic drift affects large populations. Eliminate.