Suppose a new mutation that improves metabolic efficiency is lost from a small population of mammals living in a region of seasonal food scarcity after a hurricane eliminates half the mammal population. This is an example of
A) directional selection.
B) stabilizing selection.
C) disruptive selection.
D) sexual selection.
E) genetic drift.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of genetic drift, which refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population, especially in small populations. The loss of the beneficial mutation due to a hurricane (a random event) reducing the population size illustrates genetic drift, not a selection process.

Suppose a New Mutation That Improves Metabolic Efficiency Is Lost