Genetic drift operates in:

Options

A. Non-reproductive population
B. Slow reproductive population
C. Small isolates population
D. Large isolated population

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Genetic Drift**: Genetic drift is defined as the change in the frequency of alleles (gene variants) in a population due to random sampling of organisms. It is particularly significant in small populations where chance events can lead to large changes in allele frequencies from one generation to the next.

2. **Identifying Population Size**: The impact of genetic drift is more pronounced in small populations. In larger populations, the effects of random events are diluted because there are more individuals contributing to the gene pool, which stabilizes allele frequencies.

3. **Evaluating the Options**:
- **Option A: Non-reproductive population**: This option does not relate to genetic drift as it does not specify the size of the population.
- **Option B: Slow reproductive population**: This option also does not directly address the size of the population, which is crucial for genetic drift.
- **Option C: Small isolated population**: This option is correct because genetic drift has a significant effect in small populations due to the increased likelihood of random changes in allele frequencies.
- **Option D: Large isolated population**: This option is incorrect as genetic drift has a minimal effect in large populations.

4. **Conclusion**: Based on the understanding of genetic drift and its relationship with population size, the correct answer is **C: Small isolated population**.