A geneticist is studying the prevalence of two alleles in a small, isolated population. He finds that many individuals are heterozygous and that across several generations there is little change in allelic frequency. The most likely reason for this result is
A) there is a high degree of genetic drift.
B) the population has been isolated for an extended period of time.
C) the population is 'fixed' for one allele.
D) the population is not actually isolated and is outcrossing with one or more larger populations of the same species.
E) assortative mating is occurring.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of A geneticist is studying the prevalence of two alleles in a small, isolated population. He finds that many individuals are heterozygous and that across several generations there is little change in allelic frequency. The most likely reason for this result is
A) there is a high degree of genetic drift.
B) the population has been isolated for an extended period of time.
C) the population is 'fixed' for one allele.
D) the population is not actually isolated and is outcrossing with one or more larger populations of the same species.
E) assortative mating is occurring.

A Geneticist Is Studying the Prevalence of Two Alleles in a Small