Evolution in a population of island iguanas can be caused by the following agent(s):
A) natural selection.
B) genetic drift.
C) gene flow.
D) All of the above can be agents.
E) both natural selection and genetic drift.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the above (natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow) can be agents of evolution in a population, and they can all occur simultaneously or independently of each other. Natural selection involves differential survival and reproduction of individuals with certain traits that are advantageous for their environment, leading to changes in the frequency of those traits over time. Genetic drift is the random fluctuation of allele frequencies in a population due to chance events, such as genetic bottleneck or founder effects. Gene flow is the movement of genes from one population to another, which can introduce new alleles or reduce genetic differences between populations. Therefore, all three agents can contribute to changes in the genetic makeup of a population and its adaptations to a changing environment.

Evolution in a Population of Island Iguanas Can Be Caused