Read each example and identify the…

Biology Questions

Read each example and identify the mechanism that influences gene pools: 1) A zebra migrates to join a different herd of zebras. 2) Competition for sunlight leads to taller trees. 3) The DNA of a snake changes to make its venom stronger. 4) A grassfire randomly sweeps through a population of buffalo and kills most of the animals.

Answer

Changes in genes produce shifts in a population. Genes, the basic units of heredity found in chromosomes, are transferred from parents to their offspring and dictate various traits in living organisms. Certain events can alter these traits by affecting the gene pool. The following are gene pool changes linked to the given scenarios: A zebra moving to a different herd signifies gene flow, which occurs when individuals of a population migrate and interbreed with another population, forming new gene combinations. The competition for sunlight resulting in taller trees exemplifies natural selection, where, as per Charles Darwin, the organisms best adapted to their environment survive longer and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits to their offspring. The alteration in a snake’s DNA that enhances its venom demonstrates mutation, a change in the genetic structure that introduces a new trait to the population due to DNA modification. Lastly, a grassfire that randomly eliminates a large number of buffalo showcases genetic drift, which describes shifts in gene frequencies caused by chance events that lead to the loss of specific genes as some individuals die or are unable to reproduce.

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