Final answer:
The founder effect is a type of genetic drift where a small group starts a new population, potentially leading to unique genetic traits or disorders, as seen in the Afrikaner population of South Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept described in the student's question is known as the founder effect, a type of genetic drift. This occurs when a small number of individuals from a larger population start a new population in a new location, carrying with them only a subset of the genetic variance from the original population. An example of the founder effect in human history is the Afrikaner population of Dutch settlers in South Africa, which exhibited high incidences of Huntington's disease (HD) and Fanconi anemia (FA) due to the genetic makeup of the original colonists. The founder effect is important in understanding how isolated populations can develop unique genetic traits or higher prevalence of certain genetic disorders.