Question

Certain traits will have been lost from the gene pool forever. some may be obvious, like people with red hair or double jointed thumbs. others will be less obvious, like the ability to process cholesterol or being allergic to peanuts.

This loss of diversity in a reduced population is called ________.

A. gene flow
B. bottleneck effect
C. genetic drift
D. founder effect

Answer 1

The reduction in genetic diversity in a population due to a significant loss of individuals is known as the bottleneck effect, which is an example of genetic drift and differs from the founder effect. So the correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The loss of diversity in a reduced population you're describing is called the bottleneck effect. This effect occurs when there's a significant reduction in population size due to a random event, such as a natural disaster, which results in a large portion of the gene pool being wiped out. In one instance, the surviving population's genetic structure becomes representative of the entire population, leading to reduced genetic variation.

Both the bottleneck effect and the founder effect are specific examples of genetic drift. However, they are not the same. While the bottleneck effect is often due to a drastic and sudden decrease in population size, the founder effect occurs when a new population is established by a small number of individuals from a larger population, potentially carrying an unrepresentative set of alleles.

Answer 2

The answer is to this question is D.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation described in the question is an example of the founder effect. It can be described as "when a small amount of people leave their habitats and form a smaller population elsewhere, there is a decrease in genetic diversity and this change is called the founder effect."

"In a reduced population" in the question points to the founder effect. Although if the reduction of the population is dramatic and immediate, it can also be an example of the bottleneck effect.

I hope this answer helps.