Random change in allele frequencies with no advantage over existing frequencies describes:
AStabilizing selection
BAssortative mating
CThe genetic drift
DDirectional selection
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The genetic drift
1. Not every change in allele frequency is adaptive.
2. Sometimes allele frequencies within a population change randomly.
3. That change brings no advantage to the population over existing allele frequencies.
4. This is genetic drift, which occurs alongside natural selection.
5. Selection, by contrast, favours particular phenotypes.
_Source: OpenStax Biology 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 19 'The Evolution of Populations', sections 19.1-19.3_
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