The phenomenon where allele frequencies change due to random sampling, more pronounced in small populations, is called what?

• A. Genetic drift
• B. Gene flow
• C. Mutation
• D. Natural selection

Answer: (A)

Genetic drift is the random fluctuation in allele frequencies from one generation to the next due to chance sampling. It becomes especially noticeable in small populations, where drawing a few individuals can significantly shift the gene pool simply by luck. Over time, drift can reduce genetic variation within a population and may even fix or lose alleles purely by chance. This contrasts with gene flow, which involves alleles moving between populations; mutation, which introduces new variants; and natural selection, which changes frequencies based on differential survival and reproduction rather than random chance. So the scenario described is genetic drift.