Evolutionary Genetic Variation

A population of birds lives on a small island. Another population of the same species lives on the mainland. The distance between the island and the mainland is too great for birds to fly back and forth. Recently, a series of sandbars and tiny islands have formed between the island and the mainland. What is the most likely effect of this change?

• an increase in mutations in both bird populations

• an increase in gene flow between the bird populations

• an increase in genetic drift between the bird populations

• an increase in mutations in the island population

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When genetic information travels from one population to another it is called _____.

• variation

• gene flow

• bottleneck effect

• genetic drift

Which of the following examples can cause gene flow between populations?

• an increase in predators to a population of zebra

• a volcanic eruption that kills half of a population of mice

• bird droppings that contain seeds from a different location

• a person that sprays a toxin on a group of mosquitoes

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The sum of all of the genetic traits in a population's individuals at any given time is known as the _____.

• gene pool

• genetic drift

• bottleneck effect

• founder effect

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Henry was studying two populations of the same species of lizards. One population lived on an island and the other lived on the mainland. Both populations were affected by a hurricane that hit the island and the mainland with equal force. A year later, Henry was testing the gene frequency and saw a decrease in genetic variation in the island species, but not in the mainland species. Which best describes a conclusion he might have reached?

• Gene flow greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.

• Genetic drift greatly affects small populations, but large populations can recover.

• Gene flow greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.

• Genetic drift greatly affects large populations, but small populations can recover.

Environmental factors can influence natural selection because they can increase or decrease _____.

• the number of chromosomes in an individual.

• the number of chromosomes in a population.

• the amount of genetic variation in an individual.

• the amount of genetic variation in a population.

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Which of the following can cause gene variations to INCREASE in a population?

• predator-prey relationships

• competition

• toxins

• disasters

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Which of the following can cause gene variations to INCREASE in a population?

• predator-prey relationships

• competition

• disasters

• new habitat

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Which environmental factor would likely lead to an increase in genetic variation in a population of squirrels?

• an increase in predators

• an increase in available food

• an increase in forest fires

• an increase in pollution

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A population of snakes that eat small rodents enters a new habitat. In the new habitat, there are many species of rodents, and their populations are high because there are few natural predators. What will most likely be the effect on the genetic variation of the snake population?

• Genetic variation will increase because of a selective pressure.

• Genetic variation will increase because of a new habitat and food source.

• Genetic variation will decrease because of a selective pressure.

• Genetic variation will decrease because of a new habitat and food source.

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