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Gene flow introduces new alleles into a population. Which of the following situations best illustrates gene flow?

easy MCQ 1 mark Class 12 · Biology · Organisms and Populations
  1. A. A sudden reduction in population size due to a flood.
  2. B. Pollen from a plant population in one valley being carried by wind to a neighboring valley.
  3. C. Random mating within a closed island population.
  4. D. A mutation causing a new allele in an individual.
Answer
B. Pollen from a plant population in one valley being carried by wind to a neighboring valley.

The correct answer is B. Pollen from a plant population in one valley being carried by wind to a neighboring valley. — Therefore the correct choice is option B.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Recall that gene flow is the transfer of alleles from one population to another through migration of individuals or gametes.
  2. Option A describes a bottleneck, not gene flow.
  3. Option B describes pollen moving between valleys, which transfers alleles between populations – a classic example of gene flow.
  4. Option C describes random mating within a closed population, which does not involve movement of alleles from outside.
  5. Option D describes a mutation, which creates a new allele within a population, not gene flow.
  6. Therefore the correct choice is option B.
Common mistake: Confusing mutation or random mating with gene flow

Concept tested: Gene flow definition

Published · How this solution was prepared and checked

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