Factors Affecting Genetic Variation – Flashcards

A group of students are walking in the park, and one of them takes a picture of a pollen grain that is being blown by the wind. What caption can the student use for this picture?

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?

A scientist has been tracking and studying a population of deer in Yellowstone National Park. He surveys the population every six months. Usually, the population is thriving and has a gene pool with a wide variety of traits. But during one six-month period, an event occurred that affected the population, and when the scientist returned, the amount of genetic variation had decreased significantly. Which of the following is most likely the event that occurred to change the population?

An increase in food and a decrease in predators would most likely ___________ genetic variation in a population.

Changes in the gene pool can occur due to various mechanisms. From 1892 to 1954, millions of individuals emigrated (moved out) from countries across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. Many of these individuals entered through Ellis Island, a federal immigration station in New York. Which mechanism affected the gene pool of the immigrants that entered the United States through Ellis Island?

Genetic drift in a population affects the gene pool in which of the following ways?

In a few generations, this population of beetles changed. Which is the most likely explanation for the change?

Which change in a gene pool is occurring in the image below? (fishes in nets)

Which environmental factor could lead to a decrease in genetic variation in a population of tuna?

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

Which of the following best defines gene flow?

Which term best describes the difference in colors of the birds below? (brown chickens)