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Conservation biologists studying cheetah populations have determined that the lack of genetic diversity among the cheetahs is due to genetic drift.
Which statement explains the most likely consequence of having a low genetic diversity on the cheetah population?
Question 17 options:
The chances of a mutation occurring in the cheetah population are decreased, increasing the cheetah survival rate.
The gene pool remains in equilibrium and future generations of cheetah offspring are stronger and better adapted to their environments.
The cheetah population becomes less likely to survive an outbreak of a disease of an environmental change, increasing the chance of species extinction.
Genetic variability is maintained from older cheetah populations that have survived and endured environmental stressors.
Conservation biologists studying cheetah populations have determined that the lack of genetic diversity among the cheetahs is due to genetic drift.
Which statement explains the most likely consequence of having a low genetic diversity on the cheetah population?
Question 17 options:
The chances of a mutation occurring in the cheetah population are decreased, increasing the cheetah survival rate.
The gene pool remains in equilibrium and future generations of cheetah offspring are stronger and better adapted to their environments.
The cheetah population becomes less likely to survive an outbreak of a disease of an environmental change, increasing the chance of species extinction.
Genetic variability is maintained from older cheetah populations that have survived and endured environmental stressors.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
The most likely consequence of having a low genetic diversity on the cheetah population is that the cheetah population becomes less likely to survive an outbreak of a disease or an environmental change, increasing the chance of species extinction. This is because a low genetic diversity means that the cheetah population has a reduced ability to adapt to new environmental conditions or to combat new diseases, which puts the entire population at risk.