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In populations A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 13 - 2010 - Paper 1
Question 13
In populations A. genetic drift will have less effect in a large population compared to a small population. B. bottlenecks enable a population to become better equi... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In populations A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 13 - 2010 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. genetic drift will have less effect in a large population compared to a small population.
Answer
Genetic drift is the change in the frequency of an allele due to random sampling in a population. In larger populations, the impact of random genetic drift is diminished because the larger gene pool means that random events have less effect on the overall genetic composition.
Step 2
B. bottlenecks enable a population to become better equipped for future changes in the environment.
Answer
Bottlenecks typically reduce genetic diversity within a population, potentially making it less adaptable to future environmental changes rather than better equipped. This effect can lead to a decrease in the population's ability to survive when faced with new challenges.
Step 3
C. some organisms develop mutations in order to better suit them to their environment compared to other members of the population.
Answer
Mutations occur randomly and are not developed intentionally by organisms. However, beneficial mutations can provide advantages in survival and reproduction, leading to natural selection favoring those traits over generations.
Step 4
D. allele frequencies remain constant if the number of individuals leaving the population equals the number of individuals entering it.
Answer
This scenario describes a stable population in terms of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. If immigration and emigration are balanced, allele frequencies may stay constant over time, provided that other conditions for equilibrium are also met.