Genetic drift is one mechanism of evolutionary change. Which of the following best describes an example of genetic drift? A. A small population of frogs, which used to be brown and green, is now all green due to chance. B. Gazelles, which are preyed on by cheetahs, have gotten faster and more agile over time. C. The genetic variation between two populations of gorillas decreases due to interbreeding. D. Over time, birds acquired stronger beaks by opening and eating tougher nuts and seeds.

Biology · Middle School · Thu Feb 04 2021

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A. A small population of frogs, which used to be brown and green, is now all green due to chance.

This example represents genetic drift because it involves a random change in the frequency of traits (in this case, coloration) in a small population. The key aspect of genetic drift is that it is a stochastic process, meaning it occurs by chance events rather than by natural selection, where traits are favored due to providing a survival or reproductive advantage.