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Ch. 23 - The Evolution of Populations
Chapter 23, Problem 4

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 a. genetic drift. b. gene flow. c.nonrandom mating. d. directional selection.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Genetic Drift

Genetic drift refers to the random fluctuations in allele frequencies within a population, particularly in small populations. It can lead to the loss of genetic variation over time, as certain alleles may become more or less common purely by chance. In the context of the question, genetic drift could explain the observed genetic variation between the two isolated populations.
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Genetic Drift

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations through migration of individuals or gametes. It tends to increase genetic diversity within a population and reduce differences between populations. In this scenario, since the populations are described as being far from each other, gene flow is unlikely to have occurred, making it an unsuitable explanation for the observed genetic variation.
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Nonrandom Mating

Nonrandom mating occurs when individuals in a population do not mate randomly, often due to preferences for certain genotypes or phenotypes. This can lead to changes in allele frequencies and can affect genetic variation. However, in the given populations, where all individuals have the same genotype, nonrandom mating does not apply, as there is no variation to select from.
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