Cheetahs exhibit significant inbreeding and loss of heterozygosity due to overhunting and loss of habitat experienced at some point in their evolutionary history. Which genetic mechanism occurs when a large population is substantially reduced at random, acting independently of natural selection?
A) founder effect
B) Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium
C) gene flow
D) mutation
E) bottleneck effect

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bottleneck effect occurs when a large population is substantially reduced in size, leading to a loss of genetic diversity and an increase in inbreeding and loss of heterozygosity, as seen in cheetahs. This process happens randomly and independently of natural selection.

Cheetahs Exhibit Significant Inbreeding and Loss of Heterozygosity Due to Overhunting