Question

Changes in the gene pool can occur due to various mechanisms. In 1989, a large oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska, when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground. Approximately 11 million gallons of oil were spilled and spread 1,300 miles along the Alaskan coastline. The damage from the oil spill affected thousands of animals in the area, including killer whales, harbor seals, sea otters, fish, and sea birds. Which mechanism most likely affected the gene pools of the organism populations in the areas around the oil spill? genetic drift gene flow gene mutation genetic variation

Answer 1

The answer is A

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

In the given case, the spilling of oil influenced many animals in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Due to spillage, many animals in the region comprising harbor seals, killer whales, fish, sea otters, and seabirds got influenced. It can be considered that genetic drift affected the gene pools of the organisms in the regions around the oil spill.

Variation in the relative frequency of different genotypes in a small populace, due to the chance desertion of specific genes as individuals do not reproduce or die is known as genetic drift.