Which of the following occurs when the evolutionary effects of genetic drift is the greatest?
The population size is small
The population size is large
Sexual selection occurs
Intraspecific competition is weak
The correct answer is: The population size is small.
When the population size is small, the effect of genetic drift is amplified. Genetic drift refers to the random changes in gene frequencies within a population due to chance events. In smaller populations, random fluctuations can have a larger impact on the overall gene pool, leading to a greater influence of genetic drift. As a result, small populations are more susceptible to the effects of genetic drift, including the loss of genetic diversity and the fixation of certain alleles.