Question

In a lizard population, the allele for light gray coloration disappears from the population. This may be because light gray lizards are more visible to predators, making them less likely to survive and reproduce. This scenario illustrates the concept of:

A) Genetic drift
B) Natural selection
C) Genetic mutation
D) Gene flow

Answer 1

The disappearance of the light gray coloration allele in a lizard population because of predation demonstrates natural selection, where traits that offer a survival advantage become more prevalent over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario described with the disappearing allele for light gray coloration in a lizard population due to increased predation illustrates the concept of natural selection. Natural selection is a mechanism of evolution where individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment tend to survive and reproduce more than those with less advantageous traits. This differential survival and reproduction lead to the traits that confer a survival advantage becoming more common in the population over time.

Contrastingly, genetic drift involves changes in allele frequencies due to random chance events, rather than selective pressures. An example of genetic drift could be a natural disaster that randomly eliminates individuals regardless of their coloration. Genetic mutation is the original source of genetic variation and may introduce new alleles to a population. Gene flow occurs when individuals migrate into or out of a population, bringing new alleles with them or removing alleles.