Final answer:
A population bottleneck is a phenomenon in which a large portion of a population is suddenly reduced in size. It is related to the process of genetic drift, which is the change in allele frequencies in a population over time due to random events. The bottleneck effect can result in a loss of genetic diversity and long-term effects on the population's evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The population bottleneck is a phenomenon in which a large portion of a population is suddenly reduced in size. This can occur as a result of natural disasters, diseases, or human activities. The bottleneck effect is related to the process of genetic drift, which is the change in allele frequencies in a population over time due to random events.
During a population bottleneck, the surviving individuals are a random sample of the original population. This can result in a loss of genetic diversity and an increase in the frequency of certain alleles. These changes in the gene pool can have long-term effects on the population's evolution and ability to adapt to new environments.
For example, if a population of animals is hit by a disease that wipes out a large portion of the population, the surviving individuals may have a limited genetic diversity. This can make them more susceptible to other diseases or environmental changes in the future.