A bottleneck event reduces the population of bears in one area by 80%. Which statement is correct about the bears’ gene pool? (1 point)
Responses
It has temporarily increased, so disadvantageous traits are more likely to be passed on.
It has temporarily increased, so disadvantageous traits are more likely to be passed on.
It has temporarily decreased, so disadvantageous traits are more likely to be passed on.
It has temporarily decreased, so disadvantageous traits are more likely to be passed on.
It has temporarily decreased, so disadvantageous traits are less likely to be passed on.
It has temporarily decreased, so disadvantageous traits are less likely to be passed on.
It has temporarily increased, so disadvantageous traits are less likely to be passed on.
The correct statement is: It has temporarily decreased, so disadvantageous traits are more likely to be passed on.
The correct statement about the bears' gene pool in this scenario is:
It has temporarily decreased, so disadvantageous traits are more likely to be passed on.
Explanation:
A bottleneck event refers to a drastic reduction in the population of a species, usually due to a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. In this case, the population of bears in one area has been reduced by 80%.
When a population experiences a bottleneck event, the gene pool of that population is significantly reduced. The gene pool refers to the total genetic diversity within a population, including all the different alleles (gene versions) that exist for each trait. With fewer individuals in the population, there are fewer different alleles present, which leads to a decrease in genetic diversity.
In the context of this question, the reduction in the population of bears means that there are fewer individuals available to contribute their genetic traits to future generations. This reduction in the gene pool increases the likelihood that certain traits, including disadvantageous ones, will be passed on to future offspring.
Therefore, the correct statement is that the bears' gene pool has temporarily decreased, so disadvantageous traits are more likely to be passed on.