Two populations of raccoons are similar in most respects, but the population on the east side of a river is much smaller than that on the west side.There is little gene flow between the populations.Which statement about these populations is most accurate?
A) The population on the west side of the river should experience more fluctuations in allele frequency due to genetic drift.
B) The population on the east side of the river should experience more fluctuations in allele frequency due to genetic drift.
C) The population on the west side of the river should have more fluctuations in allele frequency because it will experience a higher mutation rate.
D) The population on the east side of the river should have more fluctuations in allele frequency because it will experience a higher mutation rate.
E) The populations should experience similar degrees of fluctuations in allele frequency because mutation and genetic drift should affect them in the same way.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The population on the east side of the river should experience more fluctuations in allele frequency due to genetic drift because it is smaller and there is little gene flow between the populations. Genetic drift has a greater impact on smaller populations, and the limited gene flow means that there is less opportunity for the eastern population to be "rescued" from the effects of genetic drift by new alleles flowing in from the west.

Two Populations of Raccoons Are Similar in Most Respects, but the Population