Question

Which of the following types of selection tends to maintain the diversity of alleles in a population with respect to a given gene, over many generations? Choose all the correct answers.
A.) Disruptive sexual selection

B.) Directional sexual selection

C.) Disruptive selection

D.) Balancing selection

E.) Stabilizing selection

Answer 1

Answer:

C.) Disruptive selection

Explanation:

Disruptive selection is also called as diversifying selection. Here, two or more  extreme phenotypes are preferred over the intermediate phenotype. Since more than one phenotype is preferred here, the genetic diversity of the population increases over generations.

For example, in lobsters alpha males are able to successfully mate by using force. Smaller males can also sneak in alpha males's territory and successfully mate. Hence, both alpha males and small males will be preferred over medium sized males in lobsters increasing the overall genetic diversity of population.