Question

In a species of wild animal, claw size is determined by a combination of two allele. Allele Q codes for large claws, while allele q codes for small claws. Individuals with a heterozygous genotype possess claws of medium size. Members of the species depend on their claws to be able to burrow in the ground and find food. The ground in their area has always been soft, but gradual climate change has caused the dirt to become hard and compact. Which statement best predicts the change that will occur in the affected populations?

Question 1 options:

Allele Q will become dominant to allele q.


Allele q will decrease in frequency.


Allele q will become dominant to allele Q.


Allele Q will decrease in frequency.

Answer 1

The answer would most likely be C. Allele Q will become dominant to allele Q.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct answer is- Allele q will decrease in frequency.

As per the information in the question, allele Q codes for large claws and allele q codes for small claws in a species of wild animal.

This indicates that larger claws will enable the wild animals to burrow more in the ground and find their food. As the change in the climatic condition caused the dirt ( on the ground) to become hard and compact.

This will lead to change in the frequency of allele of the population as allele Q will increase because larger claws will provide more advantage (in context of burrowing) to the animals for getting their food, whereas frequency of allele q will decrease ( as smaller size of claws will not be that beneficial to them in hard and compact ground).