Question

Define the concept of "divergence" with respect to two recently isolated populations:

A. Divergence refers to the process of two populations becoming more similar after isolation.
B. Divergence describes the phenomenon of two populations growing closer together in genetic makeup.
C. Divergence signifies the evolutionary process where two populations become more distinct and different after isolation.
D. Divergence is a term for the process of two populations remaining identical after isolation.

Answer 1

Divergence is an evolutionary process in biology where two recently isolated populations become more distinct and different over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Divergence is a concept in biology that signifies the evolutionary process where two recently isolated populations become more distinct and different over time. When populations become geographically discontinuous due to barriers like mountains or rivers, they are able to evolve along different trajectories. This results in the gradual divergence of their allele frequencies at numerous genetic loci, leading to distinct genetic and phenotypic differences.