AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Definition. A founder effect, as related to genetics, refers to the reduction in genomic variability that occurs when a small group of individuals becomes separated from a larger population.

Detailed explanation-2: -These founding individuals carry with them only a fraction of the genetic diversity of the parental population, and therefore, the founder effect results with a decreased genetic diversity and distinctive allele frequency patterns in the newly established population.

Detailed explanation-3: -Inbreeding, genetic drift, restricted gene flow, and small population size all contribute to a reduction in genetic diversity. Fragmented and threatened populations are typically exposed to these conditions, which is likely to increase their risk of extinction (Saccheri et al.

Detailed explanation-4: -Genetic drift is common after a population experiences a population bottleneck. A population bottleneck arises when a significant number of individuals in a population die or are otherwise prevented from breeding, resulting in a drastic decrease in the size of the population.

Detailed explanation-5: -If genetic diversity gets too low, species can go extinct and be lost forever. This is due to the combined effects of inbreeding depression and failure to adapt to change. In such cases, the introduction of new alleles can save a population.