Inbreeding reduces the fitness of a population due to the increased genetic effect of what?
Correct answer: D. Expression of deleterious recessive traits
- A. Rate of spontaneous mutation
- B. Levels of aggression
- C. Increases genetic diversity
- D. Expression of deleterious recessive traits
Explanation
Inbreeding occurs when closely related individuals mate. This increases the chance that offspring inherit two copies of the same allele, including harmful recessive alleles. Normally, deleterious recessive traits can remain hidden in heterozygotes, but inbreeding raises the likelihood that these harmful traits are expressed, which can reduce survival, fertility, or overall health. This reduction in population fitness due to the expression of harmful recessive traits is called inbreeding depression.
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About Evolution
Evolution describes heritable change in populations over generations through variation, natural selection and adaptation. Lamarckism explains inheritance of acquired characteristics, while Darwinism explains selection of favourable inherited variations; these historical explanations must not be confused with the modern genetic account of evolutionary change.
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