Question

When genetically similar individuals of a population mate with each other repeatedly, it leads to ___.

• A. Loss of heterozygosity
• B. Gain of heterozygosity
• C. Loss of homozygosity
• D. Gain of homozygosity or heterozygosity

Answer 1

The correct option is A Loss of heterozygosity

When individuals of similar genetic mate with each other for successive generations, it leads to the accumulation of similar traits thereby making the entire genetic makeup of that population more homozygous. As different alleles are lost to the accumulation of similar alleles, the population loses heterozygosity which can lead to severe issues in the genetic health of the population.