Chapter 15, Problem 25A

Solution

To determine:

The term that describe the scenario in which “The random changes in gene frequencies found in small populations”

Introduction:

Hardy Weinberg’s principle is the mathematical representation of population analysis which calculates the genetic variation possible in a population at equilibrium by calculating its allelic and genotypic frequencies.

Factors that affect Hardy Weinberg principle are :

• Gene flow
• Genetic drift
• Genetic recombination
• Mutations
• Natural selection

Gene flow: It is transfer of genetic variation from one population to another.

Genetic recombination: It is the exchange of genetic material between different organisms that leads to the production of progeny with combined traits which are different from either of the parent.

Genetic drift: It refers to the chance elimination of the genes of certain traits independent of gene’s harmful of useful effect when a section of population migrates or dies of natural calamity. It alters the gene frequency of the remaining population. So, genetic drift is the change in frequency of existing gene variant in a small population due to random sampling of organisms.

Mutation: It refers to a change in DNA sequence by any means such as deletion, addition, replacement, or by effect of mutagens.

Natural selection: Natural selection is differential reproduction which means some members of population have genes that enable them to grow up and reproduce at higher rate and leave more surviving offspring in the next generation than others. It will result the gene to become predominant in the gene pool as it is producing more offspring that continue for many generations.

The given scenario can be described by the term genetic drift.