Question

A small isolated population found on a remote island is more likely to undergo speciation than a large widespread population, which of the following statement is correct regarding a small isolated population?

• A. Is more susceptible to genetic drift
• B. Inherently contains much greater genetic diversity
• C. Is more readily adaptable to extreme environmental changes
• D. Is more likely to migrate to other islands or the nearest mainland
• E. Has a greater likelihood of containing sterile hybrid individuals

Answer 1

The correct option is A Is more susceptible to genetic drift

A deviation in gene pool of a small population due to chance change in allelic frequency is referred to as genetic drift which in turn is responsible for variation in species and thereby evolution of new species. Effect of genetic drift on a small population is large as compared to that on the larger population which, owing to its large size and large number of gametes produced, has greater probability to accurately represent the allelic frequency of parental population. This makes option A correct answer. Small population have lower genetic diversity; migration is ruled out as it is remote island. Adaptive nature of species and production of sterile hybrids do not depend on size of the population.