What is the main difference between natural selection and genetic drift?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: Natural selection is linked with useful traits while genetic drift is linked with chance
The governing concept is that evolution can change the frequency of inherited traits through different mechanisms. In natural selection, environmental conditions give organisms with advantageous heritable traits better survival or reproductive success, so those traits become more common. Genetic drift changes allele frequencies randomly, especially in small populations, without requiring a trait to be useful. Therefore option A correctly contrasts environmental selection with chance; B, C, and D confuse or deny these mechanisms.
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What is the correct answer to this question?
Natural selection is linked with useful traits while genetic drift is linked with chance
Why is this the correct answer?
The governing concept is that evolution can change the frequency of inherited traits through different mechanisms. In natural selection, environmental conditions give organisms with advantageous heritable traits better survival or reproductive success, so those traits become more common. Genetic drift changes allele frequencies randomly, especially in small populations, without requiring a trait to be useful. Therefore option A correctly contrasts environmental selection with chance; B, C, and D confuse or deny these mechanisms.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 Science question. Chapter: Heredity and Evolution. Topic: Evolution and speciation.
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