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Conserving Biodiversity

Chapter 16, Problem 9

The risks faced by small populations include                  . a. erosion of genetic variability through genetic drift; b. decreased fitness of individuals as a result of inbreeding; c. increased risk of experiencing natural disasters; d. A and B are correct; e. A, B, and C are correct

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Video transcript

Hello everyone. And in today's video we have the following problem. So genetic drift is a random process that is most likely to occur in. So we're giving different sizes of populations where genetic drift may be more likely to occur in economic quickly remind you what genetic drift is in order to solve this problem. And this is a process that involves changes in a little frequencies occurring at random. So now this word random is very important. So let's just put two examples. Let's say that we have a small population consisting of three individuals that have different alleles A. B. And C. And then we have another population consistent of six individuals or more. Let's say this is our large population and this is our small population consistent of the same. Let's say that a random process eliminates one individual from each population. So let's say that from this population one of the individuals is eliminated and from the large population one of the individuals is eliminated. Now, if a random this population loses an individual it will lose a little A completely because there is no other individuals in the population that contains a little A. However this large population will lose one of the individuals containing only O. A. But it still contains other individuals with a little A. That are able to then pass it on to their offspring. So A. D. O. A. Is not completely eliminated. So now because of these genetic drift is most likely to occur or is has a stronger pull in small populations as we can see here because of that reason. Because it is a random process and random processes have a stronger effect on small populations. So that is going to be the final answer to her question. And I hope this video helped you.