There are 25 individuals in population 1, all with genotype AA, and there are 40 individuals in population 2, all with genotype aa. Assume that these populations are located far from each other and that their environmental conditions are very similar. Based on the information given here, the observed genetic variation most likely resulted from

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Genetic drift occurs when random events cause changes in the frequency of alleles within a population. The small size of population 1 and the fact that all individuals have the same genotype (AA) make them particularly susceptible to genetic drift. Similarly, the fact that all individuals in population 2 have the same genotype (aa) also increases the chance of genetic drift. While gene flow and nonrandom mating can also contribute to genetic variation, they are less likely to be the primary cause in these populations due to their isolation from each other. Disruptive and directional selection would require some environmental pressure driving the selection process, which is not mentioned in the problem.

There Are 25 Individuals in Population 1, All with Genotype