Question

The evolutionary force that reduces the genetic variation by removing low frequency alleles

• A. Adaptive radiation
• B. Gene flow
• C. Genetic Drift
• D. Reproductive isolation

Hint:

Genetic drift = random change in allele frequency → often removes rare alleles → less variation, especially in small populations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that causes random changes in allele frequencies in a population. It has a stronger effect in small populations and often leads to the loss of rare alleles, thereby reducing genetic variation over time.
- Adaptive radiation involves diversification from a common ancestor to occupy different niches and increases diversity.
- Gene flow introduces new alleles into a population, increasing genetic variation.
- Reproductive isolation leads to speciation but does not directly eliminate low-frequency alleles.
Hence, Genetic Drift is the correct answer as it eliminates low-frequency alleles and reduces variation.

Answer 2

Step 1: Understand the concept of genetic variation
Genetic variation refers to differences in alleles and genes within a population.

Step 2: Identify evolutionary forces affecting genetic variation
- Natural selection, mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift are key evolutionary forces.
- Some forces increase variation, others reduce it.

Step 3: Define Genetic Drift
Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies, especially significant in small populations.
It can lead to the loss of alleles, particularly those with low frequency, thus reducing genetic variation.

Step 4: Final Conclusion
The evolutionary force that reduces genetic variation by removing low frequency alleles is Genetic Drift.