Question

Identify the correct statements with respect to genetic drift.

Statement 1: It is more effective in smaller population.

Statement 2: Variations within a species can contribute to genetic drift

Statement3: It can lead to speciation.

• A. Only statement 1 is correct.
• B. Only statement 2 is correct.
• C. Only statement 3 is correct.
• D. All the statements are correct.

Answer 1

The correct option is D All the statements are correct.

The accidental change in the frequency of some genes in a smaller population is known as genetic drift. Although genetic drift can occur in all populations, but its effects are more pronounced in very small isolated population. Variations, if present in a population can contribute to effects of genetic drift. This leads to change in frequency of the genes contributing to those variations. It can eliminate or fixate certain genes in the population. Hence, it can lead to speciation.