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When a population is small, there is a g...

When a population is small, there is a greater chance of

A

gene flow

B

genetic drift

C

natural selection

D

occurrence of mutations

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### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks about the implications of a small population size in terms of evolutionary processes. 2. **Identifying Key Concepts**: In small populations, certain evolutionary mechanisms become more pronounced. The primary mechanism to consider here is genetic drift. 3. **Defining Genetic Drift**: Genetic drift refers to the random changes in allele frequencies that occur in small populations. Because the population size is limited, the impact of random events can lead to significant changes in the genetic makeup of the population. 4. **Consequences of Genetic Drift**: - **Loss of Genetic Variants**: In small populations, certain alleles may become fixed (reach a frequency of 100%) or lost (reach a frequency of 0%) purely by chance. This can lead to a reduction in genetic diversity. - **Increased Vulnerability**: Small populations are more susceptible to the effects of genetic drift, which can make them more vulnerable to extinction. 5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, when a population is small, there is a greater chance of genetic drift occurring, which can lead to changes in allele frequencies and the potential loss of genetic diversity. ### Final Answer: When a population is small, there is a greater chance of **genetic drift** occurring. ---
### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks about the implications of a small population size in terms of evolutionary processes. 2. **Identifying Key Concepts**: In small populations, certain evolutionary mechanisms become more pronounced. The primary mechanism to consider here is genetic drift. 3. **Defining Genetic Drift**: Genetic drift refers to the random changes in allele frequencies that occur in small populations. Because the population size is limited, the impact of random events can lead to significant changes in the genetic makeup of the population. ...
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