Final answer:
The positive feedback cycle of inbreeding depression involves four steps: closely related individuals mate, reduced fitness and increased abnormalities in offspring, mating with other closely related individuals, and a decline in overall population fitness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Inbreeding depression is the increase in abnormalities and disease in inbreeding populations. The positive feedback cycle of inbreeding depression involves four steps:
- Step 1: Closely related individuals mate with each other.
- Step 2: Offspring are produced with reduced fitness and increased abnormalities.
- Step 3: These offspring have a higher chance of mating with other closely related individuals, leading to further reduction in fitness.
- Step 4: The cycle continues, resulting in a decline in overall population fitness over time.