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. There is no indication of this in the problem description.
• Gene flow: The transfer of genetic material from one population to another. The problem does not mention any transfer of genetic material between populations.
• Genetic drift: A change in the frequency of an existing gene variant (allele) in a population due to random sampling of organisms. Habitat loss reducing population size can lead to genetic drift as smaller populations are more affected by random changes.
• Genetic resistance: Resistance to a particular factor (e.g., a disease). This is not relevant to the problem.

Answer:

genetic drift