Which of the following can make a difference in how quickly natural selection can produce a change in a population?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the factors listed can influence how quickly natural selection produces a change in a population.

- Level of genetic diversity: Higher genetic diversity increases the probability that beneficial mutations will arise and be selected for. 
- Size of the population: Smaller populations may experience genetic drift, reducing genetic variation and limiting the occurrence of beneficial mutations. 
- Reproductive rate and generation time: Faster reproduction and shorter generation times allow for more rapid turnover of genetic variation, potentially increasing the rate of adaptation. 
- Strength of the selective pressure: More intense selection typically produces more rapid changes in a population, by increasing the frequency of advantageous traits and reducing the frequency of disadvantageous ones.

Therefore, all of these factors can play a role in determining the speed at which natural selection produces changes in a population.

Which of the Following Can Make a Difference in How