Question

Cheetahs nearly became extinct before zoos and animal parks were able to begin successful breeding programs. Although the number of cheetahs is currently growing, biologists are concerned because the cheetahs are almost genetically identical. Which is the BEST explanation for their similarity?

A. Mutations caused the cheetahs to evolve to the point that they are nearly identical.

B. Gene flow decreased the variation in the population.

C. The similarity is caused by genetic drift and inbreeding due to the few surviving cheetahs that are the ancestors of all the current animals.

D. The biotic potential of the cheetahs did not take place.

Answer 1

Ans  The similarity is caused by genetic drift and inbreeding due to the few surviving cheetahs that are the ancestors of all the current animals. is a correct option because The cheetah species that survived the harsh period , found itself in a genetic bottleneck with only a few animals left. This led to close relatives mating with one another, resulting in genetic inbreeding, which led to the cheetahs losing their genetic diversity as time went by.

Gene flow within a population can increase the genetic variation of the population, so option b is wrong.

if there is no biotic potential of the cheetahs,then there population must be high. So , this option is also wrong.

Mutations also cause genetic variation of the population.