Question

Sarah and John are having a discussion on genetic diversity. Sarah believes that it happen over a long period of time. John it happens immediately. Who is correct?
A. Sarah is correct because genetic diversity occurs over a long period of time.
B. John is correct because genetic diversity occurs immediately.
C. Both are correct because genetic variation can occur or long period of time.
D. Neither are correct because genetic diversity occurs over any period of time

Answer 1

The correct answer is: C. Both are correct because genetic variation can occur immediately or long period of time.  

Genetic diversity is the sum of all of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species and it helps population to adapt to new environment conditions. The more variation is in population the more adaptive to environment it will be.

Genetic variation can occur as a result of random mutation, which happens immediately.

On the other hand, continual process of natural selection leads to genetic diversity over a long period of time by favoring the strong and eliminate the weak genes.

Genetic drift and gene flow (migration) also have impact on genetic diversity.