Imagine that one of the original four mice that escape from a research lab is blind due to a genetic defect. If the escaped mouse breeds and most of the mice born in subsequent generations are blind from birth, this is most likely a case of
A) the founder effect.
B) artificial selection.
C) selective mutation.
D) natural selection.
E) an equilibrium population.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The founder effect occurs when a small group from a population establishes a new population, and the genetic traits of the founders are disproportionately represented in the new population. In this scenario, because the population of mice descended from a small number of original mice, including one that was blind due to a genetic defect, and most of the subsequent generations are blind, it indicates that the genetic makeup of the initial small group (founders) has had a significant impact on the traits of the new population. This is characteristic of the founder effect.

Imagine That One of the Original Four Mice That Escape