Changes in the gene pool can occur due to various mechanisms. in 1989, a large oil spill occurred in prince william sound, alaska, when the exxon valdez oil tanker ran aground. approximately 11 million gallons of oil were spilled and spread 1,300 miles along the alaskan coastline. the damage from the oil spill affected thousands of animals in the area, including killer whales, harbor seals, sea otters, fish, and sea birds. which mechanism most likely affected the gene pools of the organism populations in the areas around the oil spill?

a.) genetic drift
b.) gene flow
c.) gene mutation
d.) genetic variation

a. Genetic drift

Explanation:

When there is a change in the allele frequencies of one or more populations due to a chance event, it is called genetic drift. It is random and mostly affects the populations of smaller sizes. In the given example, an accidental oil spill affected the gene pools of the animal populations present in the nearby regions. In this case, the gene pool was not changed by natural selection but by a chance event. Therefore, it represents an example of genetic drift.

This question is incomplete, here is the complete question:

A student produces a labeled drawing of a virus for a presentation. The student states that the capsid has a function similar to the nuclear membrane found in animal cells. Which of these describe the similar functions of capsids and nuclear membranes?

A. Both transport proteins throughout the structures

B. Both provide energy for activities in the structures

C. Both protect genetic information for the structures

D. Both code for the proteins needed for reproduction of the structures

The correct answer is C. Both protect genetic information for the structure.

Explanation

The capsid is the structure that protects and contains the genetic information of a virus, it is composed of proteins. On the other hand, the nuclear membrane of an animal cell is a structure that allows the cell to protect the DNA information, and to separate the chromosomes from the rest of the cell. According to the above, the capsid and the nuclear membrane of an animal cell have a similar function to protect the genetic information. So, the correct answer is C. Both protect genetic information for the structure.