The Pingelapese are a population of 3,000 people living on an island in the Paci

Question

The Pingelapese are a population of 3,000 people living on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Complete colorblindness (achromatopsia) occurs in about 1 in 20 Pingelapese. Pingelapese achromatopsia is caused by recessive loss-of-function allele of the CNGB3 gene (missense S to F). CNGB3 encodes a protein essential for formation of cones – color sensing structures in eyes. In 1755 a typhoon and subsequent famine killed all but 20 survivors on this atoll. One survivor was heterozygous for the mutant allele. Four generations later achromat (homozygous recessive) individuals appeared. In the rest of the world and the original population of Pingelapese (pre-typhoon), 1 in 20,000 are achromats. Which mechanism(s) of evolution is (are) responsible for the high frequency of the achromatopsia in the Pingelapese? a. genetic drift b. migration c. selection d. non-random mating e. more than one of the above

Explanation / Answer

According to the given information, the genetic drift is the mechanism of evolution that resulted in high frequency of achromatopsia in Pingelapese.

The change in frequency of gene variant in a population due to random mating of organisms is called genetic drift.

Hence, the correct option is a.

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