Genetic drift

Options

A. Is random change in gene frequency
B. Has nothing in common with inbreeding
C. Is appearance of recessive genes
D. Produces greatest fluctuation in large populations

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Genetic Drift**:
- Genetic drift refers to the random fluctuations in the frequencies of alleles (gene variants) in a population. It is a mechanism of evolution that can lead to significant changes in a population's genetic makeup over time.

2. **Identifying Key Characteristics**:
- Genetic drift is characterized by random changes in gene frequency. This means that allele frequencies can increase or decrease by chance rather than by natural selection.

3. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Option 1**: "is a random change in gene frequency" - This aligns with the definition of genetic drift.
- **Option 2**: "has nothing in common with inbreeding" - This is misleading. While genetic drift and inbreeding are different concepts, they can both affect allele frequencies in a population.
- **Option 3**: "is appearance of received genes" - This does not accurately describe genetic drift.
- **Option 4**: "produces greatest fluctuation in large population" - This is incorrect; genetic drift typically has a more pronounced effect in small populations.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the evaluation of the options, the correct answer is **Option 1: "is a random change in gene frequency."** This option accurately describes the nature of genetic drift.