What is one consequence of genetic drift over time?

One consequence of genetic drift over time is the loss of genetic variability within a population. Genetic drift refers to the random changes in allele frequencies that occur from one generation to the next, especially in small populations. These random changes can lead to certain alleles becoming fixed (reaching a frequency of 100%) while others may be lost entirely. This process reduces the overall genetic diversity in the population because fewer alleles contribute to the gene pool.

A population with loss of genetic variability may become more vulnerable to environmental changes, diseases, or other selective pressures since there are fewer genetic options available for adaptation. This reduction in genetic diversity can also limit the population’s ability to evolve over time, as there are fewer alleles that may confer beneficial traits.

Other options, like increased gene flow or uniform allele frequency, do not typically result from genetic drift. Instead, these processes often involve other mechanisms such as migration or selection. While alleles can stabilize under certain conditions, especially if they are beneficial, genetic drift primarily impacts allele frequencies randomly, leading to the potential loss of diversity rather than stabilization.