The term ‘Founder effect’, in population genetics, is used to indicatea) reduced genetic variation as compared to the original population.b) increased genetic variation as compared to the original population.c) confinement of successive generations in the geographical area that is the original habitat of the founders.d) retreat of successive generations from the geographical area that is the original habitat of the founders.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

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The term ‘Founder effect’, in population genetics, is used to indicate

a)
reduced genetic variation as compared to the original population.
b)
increased genetic variation as compared to the original population.
c)
confinement of successive generations in the geographical area that is the original habitat of the founders.
d)
retreat of successive generations from the geographical area that is the original habitat of the founders.

Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

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The term ‘Founder effect’, in population genetics, is used to indicat...

The term "founder effect" refers to the observation that when a small group of individuals breaks off from a larger population and establishes a new population, chance plays a large role in determining which alleles (a variant form of a gene) are represented in the new population. The particular alleles may not be representative of the larger population. As the new population grows, the allele frequencies will usually continue to reflect the original small group.
A founder effect occurs when a new colony is started by a few members of the original population. This small population size means that the colony may have:
- reduced genetic variation from the original population.
- a non-random sample of the genes in the original population.
Hence option (a) is the correct answer.

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The term ‘Founder effect’, in population genetics, is used to indicat...

Understanding the Founder Effect
The Founder Effect is a phenomenon in population genetics that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population. This small group may not represent the genetic diversity of the original population, leading to specific genetic characteristics in the new population.
Key Aspects of the Founder Effect
- Reduced Genetic Variation
The primary implication of the Founder Effect is the reduction in genetic variation. Because the new population is derived from a limited number of founders, it may carry only a fraction of the genetic diversity present in the original population. As a result, certain alleles may be overrepresented, while others may be lost entirely.
- Genetic Drift
The small size of the founding population makes it more susceptible to genetic drift, where random fluctuations in allele frequencies can have a significant impact on the population's genetic makeup. This can lead to the fixation of certain traits that may not have been prevalent in the original population.
- Impacts on Evolution
The limited genetic diversity can affect the new population's ability to adapt to environmental changes, potentially leading to inbreeding depression and increased vulnerability to diseases.
- Real-World Examples
The Founder Effect can be observed in isolated populations, such as island communities or populations formed by colonization. Classic examples include the Amish population in North America and the cheetah populations in Africa, both of which exhibit reduced genetic diversity.
In conclusion, the Founder Effect highlights the importance of genetic diversity in populations and how the establishment of a new population from a small number of founders can significantly influence its evolutionary trajectory.

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The term ‘Founder effect’, in population genetics, is used to indicatea) reduced genetic variation as compared to the original population.b) increased genetic variation as compared to the original population.c) confinement of successive generations in the geographical area that is the original habitat of the founders.d) retreat of successive generations from the geographical area that is the original habitat of the founders.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

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