Two Populations of Raccoons Are Similar in Most Respects, but the Population

question 234

Multiple Choice

Two populations of raccoons are similar in most respects, but the population on the east side of a river is much smaller than that on the west side.There is little gene flow between the populations.Which statement about these populations is most accurate?

• A) The population on the west side of the river should experience more fluctuations in allele frequency due to genetic drift.
• B) The population on the east side of the river should experience more fluctuations in allele frequency due to genetic drift.
• C) The population on the west side of the river should have more fluctuations in allele frequency because it will experience a higher mutation rate.
• D) The population on the east side of the river should have more fluctuations in allele frequency because it will experience a higher mutation rate.
• E) The populations should experience similar degrees of fluctuations in allele frequency because mutation and genetic drift should affect them in the same way.

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Definitions:

Plasma Membrane

The lipid bilayer that surrounds a cell, providing a barrier and regulating the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

Phospholipids

A class of lipids that are a major component of all cell membranes, forming bilayers that act as a barrier in cells.

Phosphorus

A chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15, essential for life, involved in the formation of DNA and RNA, and a key component of ATP, the energy currency of cells.

Plasma Membrane

The plasma membrane is the lipid bilayer that encloses the cytoplasm of a cell, controlling the passage of substances in and out of the cell.