Question

question 11
which of the following can lead to a shift in gene frequency within a population?
a volcano erupts and wipes out much of the plant life in a large area.
a new predator is introduced into an area and begins feeding on small mammals.
a dam breaks and cuts off a small population of squirrels from the rest of the group.
all of these can cause a shift in gene frequency.

Explanation:

• A volcanic eruption (Option A) can cause a bottleneck effect, reducing the population size and potentially changing gene frequencies.
• Introduction of a new predator (Option B) can lead to natural selection, where traits that help small mammals avoid predation become more or less common, thus shifting gene frequencies.
• A dam breaking and isolating a small population (Option C) can cause the founder effect (a type of genetic drift), which changes gene frequencies in the isolated group compared to the original population.

Answer:

D. All of these can cause a shift in gene frequency.