Researchers are studying a small island that is home to a unique population of land snails. This population was founded by 10 individuals that floated there on a log, and it has been isolated from the large (10,000 snail) mainland population ever since. The island population grew to 1000 individuals and has stayed consistent for some time. A team of researchers compared the genetic variation of the mainland and the isolated island populations for a few generations after colonization. Are the following four statements true or false?
1) Genetic drift is more pronounced in the island population than the mainland population in these first few generations.
A. True
B. False
2) The biologists observed genetic drift but not evolution.
A. True
B. False
3) The island population likely has more alleles-that is versions of genes-than the mainland population.
A. True
B. False
4) Some harmful traits may have become more common in the island population than the mainland population.
A. True
B. False