Question

which of the following is least likely to change the gene pool of a population of chipmunks? a pesticide poisons and kills a large number of chipmunks. a group of chipmunks moves to a new habitat. a number of chipmunks die due to old age. a genetic mutation causes some of the chipmunks to have larger eyes.

Explanation:

• For option A: Pesticide killing many chipmunks is a form of natural selection (or genetic drift if random), which changes gene pool frequencies as certain genotypes are removed.
• For option B: Chipmunks moving to a new habitat is gene flow, which introduces new genes or changes gene frequencies in the original population.
• For option C: Chipmunks dying of old age is a natural, non - selective process. Old age death is not related to the genetic fitness or characteristics that would change the relative frequencies of genes in the gene pool. It is a random removal of individuals without any bias towards specific genotypes.
• For option D: A genetic mutation introduces new alleles into the gene pool, thus changing it.

Answer:

C. A number of chipmunks die due to old age.