Question

Suppose the size of a population of mustard plants is 6,000. According to genetic drift theory, what is the probability that a newly-arisen mutation will become fixed in this population?

Answer 1

1/12,000

Explanation:

Data provided in the question:

Size of a population of mustard plants = 6,000

Now,

According to genetic drift theory

The probability that a newly-arisen mutation will become fixed is given using the formula

⇒ 1 ÷ [ 2 × Size of a population of mustard plants ]

⇒ 1 ÷ [ 2 ×6,000 ]

⇒ [ 1 ÷ 12,000 ]

Hence,

probability that a newly-arisen mutation will become fixed in this population is 1/12,000