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Why Is Genetic Drift Relevant In Small Populations

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1. Imagine that a professor tells you that genetic drift is only relevant in small populations. Discuss one way in which this statement is wrong, and also one way in which is it at least partially correct. Make a convincing case for why the professor’s view needs to be amended. Genetic drift can occur in both large and small populations. However, it is much more noticeable in small populations. It takes a great deal of time for the effects of genetic drift to be noticeable in a larger population as there is a much larger gene pool present (Masatoshi & Fumio, 1981). The statement made by the professor, that genetic drift is only relevant in small populations is not entirely correct. Genetic drift can occur in large populations but is much less noticeable than in a smaller population with a …show more content…

For example, they are traits that set the genders apart such as color, shape, and size and are the result of their inheritance. The handicap principle basically says that females prefer certain traits in their male counterparts. The handicap principle, in the case of sexual dimorphism, says that animals with these dimorphic traits may be most fit to reproduce and signal other individuals in their population, but the specialization of traits comes at great cost. You could determine if the handicap principle is able to explain a sexually dimorphic trait if male/females are more drawn to certain distinct characteristics in the opposite sex (Schaefer, et al., 2012). You could do an observation study in which you view two different populations of species and make note of their mating habits. Conclusions from this observation could lead to inferences about sexual dimorphism and whether or not it is due to the handicap principle. Correlations in mating (i.e., mating habits with individuals who have certain distinct sexual traits) can be made from an observational

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