Two populations of a fly are isolated from all other populations. Population S l

Question

Two populations of a fly are isolated from all other populations. Population S lives on a very small island and has a population size of 103individuals. Population L lives on a continent and has a population size of 108individuals. Assume that the island population was founded by a small group of organisms that drifted on a log from the continent to the island.  The two populations have had no interchange of alleles since that time.   

1. How could we measure these two populations to see if genetic drift or natural selection is exerting a stronger evolutionary pressure? Explain to a biology freshman.

Explanation / Answer

genetic drift or natural selection are the mechanisms for evolution

Natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow are the mechanisms that cause changes in allele.

When one or more of these forces are acting in a population, the population violates the Hardy-Weinberg assumptions, and evolution occurs.

If a population is very small then such random genetic drift could determine the fate of an allele even in the presence of moderately strong natural selection.

Small populations are more susceptible genetic drift than large populations.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.