Genetic drift affects small populations more than large ones. Why?
A) Genetic drift drives the extinction of many species.
B) Random changes in allele frequencies from one generation to the next can produce large changes in allele frequencies over time, allowing harmful alleles to increase in frequency.
C) Genetic drift in fact affects larger populations more than smaller ones.
D) Genetic drift drives the movement of many species worldwide causing populations size to reduce even further.
E) Genetic drift affects all populations equally.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In small populations, random events have a greater impact on allele frequencies because there are fewer individuals to sustain genetic variation. This can lead to the fixation of harmful alleles and the loss of beneficial ones, which can have drastic consequences on the population's survival and adaptation to changing environments. In contrast, larger populations have more individuals to buffer against the effects of genetic drift, making them more resilient to random fluctuations in allele frequencies.

Genetic Drift Affects Small Populations More Than Large Ones