Question

On the African savannah, every generation 15 male water buffalos migrate from their original large herd to a second herd. If the allelic frequency of an allele for small ears was higher in the first herd than the second, what will happen to that allelic frequency in both herds over time?

a)It will decrease in both herds.
b)It will stay the same in both herds.
c)It will decrease in the first herd and increase in the second herd.
d)It will increase in the first herd and decrease in the second herd.
e)It will stay the same in the first herd and increase in the second herd.

Answer 1

c)It will decrease in the first herd and increase in the second herd. The allele frequency of the allele for small ears will likely decrease in the first herd and increase in the second herd over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The allele frequency of the allele for small ears will likely decrease in the first herd and increase in the second herd over time.

This change in allelic frequency is due to the migration of 15 male water buffalos from the original large herd to the second herd in every generation. If the allelic frequency of the allele for small ears was higher in the first herd, then when 15 males with that allele migrate to the second herd, they will introduce a higher frequency of that allele to the second herd.

Conversely, the first herd will experience a decrease in the frequency of the allele for small ears as those males with that allele migrate to the second herd.