A population of organisms is divided by a large seismic event.The populations remain split for hundreds of years.One side of the split population is exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation,while the other side is primarily exposed to moderate levels of ultraviolet radiation as had been in the shared environment in the past.What hypothesis might you derive with regard to how these populations have responded to ultraviolet radiation?
A) The populations have likely differentiated due to continued gene flow.
B) The populations have likely differentiated due to adaptive variation.
C) The populations have likely not differentiated because of genetic drift.
D) The populations have likely not differentiated but there may be adaptive variation and new species.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hypothesis that the populations have likely differentiated due to adaptive variation is the best choice. The side of the population that has been exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation may have experienced natural selection for traits that provide protection against the harmful effects of the radiation, while the other side may not have experienced such strong selection. This could lead to differences in the populations over time, suggesting that the populations have differentiated due to adaptive variation. Genetic drift (choice C) may also play a role in population differentiation, but is less likely to be the primary factor in this case given the strong environmental pressure of ultraviolet radiation. There is no evidence to suggest that continued gene flow (choice A) would prevent population differentiation in this scenario. Choice D is not a fully accurate statement as it suggests that the populations have not differentiated, which is not necessarily true if there is adaptive variation.

A Population of Organisms Is Divided by a Large Seismic