Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow :-
In a given population one can find out the frequency of occurrence of alleles of a gene of a locus. This frequency is supposed to remain fixed and even remain the same through generations. Hardy Weinberg principle stated it using algebraic equations. This principle says that allele frequencies in a population are stable and is constant from generation to generation the gene pool remains a constant. This is called genetic equilibrium.

The effects of genetic drift are more marked in which population?

Smaller populations

The correct answer is Option (4)-Smaller populations

The effects of genetic drift are more marked in "Smaller populations."

Genetic drift is a random process that describes the change in allele frequencies within a population due to chance events. In smaller populations, genetic drift tends to have a more significant impact because chance events can exert a more noticeable effect on allele frequencies.

In smaller populations, random events, such as the death or reproduction of a few individuals, or the migration of a small number of individuals, can result in more pronounced fluctuations in allele frequencies. This randomness can lead to the loss of genetic diversity or the fixation of certain alleles within the population over time.

In larger populations, genetic drift is less noticeable because chance events have less impact on the overall allele frequencies due to the larger gene pool, which buffers against random fluctuations. Larger populations tend to maintain more genetic diversity and are less susceptible to rapid changes in allele frequencies solely due to genetic drift.