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:

To determine which event is least likely to change the gene pool, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Pesticide killing many chipmunks can cause genetic drift (change in allele frequencies) as it randomly removes individuals, altering the gene pool.
• Option B: Chipmunks moving to a new habitat (migration) can introduce new genes or remove genes from the original population, changing the gene pool.
• Option C: Chipmunks dying of old age is a natural, non - selective process. Old age death is not likely to favor or disfavor specific alleles, so it has the least impact on the gene pool's allele frequencies.
• Option D: A genetic mutation introduces new alleles into the population, directly changing the gene pool.

Answer:

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