Question

which would most likely result in an increase in genetic variation in a population?
○ an increase in predators and a decrease in food
○ an increase in predators and an increase in food
○ a decrease in predators and an increase in food
○ a decrease in predators and a decrease in food

Explanation:

• When there is a decrease in predators, more individuals in the population survive. An increase in food means more resources are available for the population to grow. With more individuals surviving and growing (due to less predation and more food), there is a greater chance for genetic variation to occur (e.g., through more breeding events, more opportunities for mutations to be passed on as the population size can potentially increase).
• If there is an increase in predators (more individuals being killed) and/or a decrease in food (more competition for limited resources leading to some individuals not surviving), the population size may be reduced. A smaller population size generally has less genetic variation (fewer individuals means fewer alleles in the gene pool).

Answer:

a decrease in predators and an increase in food