Lab 4– Genetic drift and Bottlenecked ferrets

Q: What is necessary for designing effective nature reserves for endangered species?

A: Key considerations include adequate size, habitat diversity, connectivity to other habitats, management practices, and protection from human activities.

Q: What is effective population size?

A: Effective population size (Ne) is the number of individuals in a population who contribute offspring to the next generation, reflecting genetic diversity.

Q: How is effective population size determined?

A: Ne can be calculated using factors like the number of breeding individuals, sex ratio, and fluctuations in population size over time.

Q: How do you calculate the percentage of certain individuals in a population?

A: Percentage = (Number of specific individuals / Total population) × 100.

Q: What is genetic drift and what types of populations does it have its greatest effect on?

A: Genetic drift is a random change in allele frequencies, and it has the greatest effect on small populations.

Q: What does it mean for an allele to become fixed?

A: An allele becomes fixed when it reaches a frequency of 100% in a population, meaning all individuals carry that allele.

Founder Effect

When a small group from a larger population establishes a new population, potentially carrying a limited genetic diversity.

Bottleneck Effect

A sharp reduction in population size due to environmental events or human activities, leading to a loss of genetic diversity.

Q: How can you determine what type of genetic drift is affecting a population?

A: Assess the population size, history, and genetic diversity to identify whether the Founder effect or bottleneck effect is more relevant.