Answer:
b. average heterozygosity
Explanation:
From the available options:
a. nucleotide variability
b. average heterozygosity
c. average number of loci
d. geographic variability
Nucleotide variability represents a form of genetic variation that occur as a result of difference in nucleotide sequence of deoxy ribonucleic acid.
The locus is a region on the chromosome where genes are located. Average number of locus thus refers to total number of loci per total number of individuals in a population.
Geographic variability refers to difference in genetic traits across the various geographical distribution of a population.
Average heterozygosity is the percentage or proportion of heterozygous individuals for a trait within a population. It is a common measure of genetic variation in a population.
When a mutation occur within a population and this leads to the introduction of a new allele at a locus for which some individuals within the population are homozygous, it will directly affect the average heterozygosity of the population because more individuals will lose their homozygosity and become heterozygous.
<em>The correct option is b.</em>
