Final answer:
Small populations are more vulnerable to genetic drift and extinction due to their limited genetic diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Small populations are more vulnerable to the forces of genetic drift than large populations because of the limited genetic diversity and increased likelihood of extinction.
In smaller populations, random events, such as the death of an individual, can have a greater impact on the gene pool. If a small population loses an individual that carries a rare or unique allele, that allele may be lost entirely.
On the other hand, large populations have a greater number of individuals, which increases the overall genetic diversity and provides a buffer against the effects of genetic drift.