Question

a high population of greater prairie chickens once inhabited the prairies of illinois. the conversion of the prairies into agricultural land caused the chickens to lose their habitat. studies have concluded that this change greatly reduced the greater prairie chicken population. the habitat loss also resulted in a decrease in the populations genetic variation.
which change in the gene pool occurred in the greater prairie chicken population?
○ gene mutation
○ gene flow
○ genetic drift
○ genetic resistance

Explanation:

• Gene mutation: A change in the DNA sequence. The problem mentions habitat loss reducing genetic variation, not a mutation event.
• Gene flow: The transfer of genes from one population to another. There is no indication of gene transfer here.
• Genetic drift: Random changes in allele frequencies, especially significant in small populations. Habitat loss reduced the population size, making genetic drift more impactful (smaller gene pool, random changes in alleles more pronounced).
• Genetic resistance: Resistance to a particular factor (e.g., disease). Not relevant to the described habitat - related population and genetic variation change.

Answer:

genetic drift