The Dunkers are a religious group that moved from Germany to Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s. They do not marry with members outside their own immediate community. Today, the Dunkers are genetically unique and differ in allele frequencies at many loci from all other populations, including those in their original homeland. Which of the following mechanisms most likely explains the genetic uniqueness of this population?
A) population bottleneck and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
B) heterozygote advantage and stabilizing selection
C) mutation and natural selection
D) founder effect and genetic drift

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The genetic uniqueness of the Dunkers is most likely explained by the founder effect and genetic drift. The founder effect occurs when a new colony is started by a few members of the original population, leading to a reduction in genetic variation and a change in allele frequencies in the new population. Genetic drift further influences allele frequencies in small, isolated populations, like the Dunkers, leading to genetic uniqueness over time.

The Dunkers Are a Religious Group That Moved from Germany