Final answer:
Genetic drift has a more significant effect on smaller populations than larger ones because each individual represents a larger portion of the gene pool, resulting in greater impact on allele frequencies due to random events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic drift is stronger in smaller populations than in larger ones because each individual represents a larger fraction of the population's gene pool. For example, if one individual in a population of 10 does not reproduce, 10% of the population's genetic information is lost, whereas in a population of 100, the loss is just 1%. Therefore, a small population is more likely to experience significant changes in allele frequencies due to the random loss or increase of alleles.
Moreover, genetic drift can also lead to the founder effect, as shown in the genetic history of the Afrikaner population where a few individuals had a disproportionate influence on the genetic makeup of the population.