Question

A small group of people left their homeland and set sail for a tropical island. They settled there, and their descendants lived for many generations. Unfortunately, a relatively high proportion of this new population is afflicted with an autosomal-recessive disease. What would explain this?

A. An unidentified environmental radiation source was present on the island.
B. One of the original group members had the gene mutation from conception.
C. They encouraged immigration of people from the mainland.
D. Their lack of genetic diversity made them more vulnerable to new mutations

Answer 1

The correct answer is option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phenomenon of founder effect takes place when a small group of individuals leave a larger population and get settled somewhere else. This restricts the genetic diversity of the group, which has settled elsewhere. This signifies that the small group migrates from the population, and the population from this migrated group comprises traits that are confined to that group.

Therefore, via various generations, the limited traits are passed on resulting in the reappearance of the traits in generations. Thus, statement B is correct.