Question

The nearly neutral theory proposed that:

a) effective population size is an important determinant of evolution

b) observed variation should be linearly associated with census population size

c) a&b

d) natural selection rarely operates in nature

Please explain how you got your answer:)

Answer 1

Answer A

Because nearly neutral theory accounts for the fact that the mutations are not so deleterious such that they can be ignored or neutral . Slightly deleterious mutation are purged only when their selective coefficient are greater than 1 divided the effective population size . In larger population a large number of mutation cross this threshold , therefore drift predominates in small population and mutation in large population.

Further the variation is not linearly but curvilinearly associated and natural selection occurs continuously and not rarely.