Multiple choice

In which of the following societies would genetic drift have the least probability of causing rapid evolution?

  1. A fleet of 12-16 isolated humans living 70,000 years ago in Southern Africa.

  2. Modern day Japan

  3. A flock of 40 members of a religious sect who had nothing to do with their neighbours in ancient Rome for 8 generations.

  4. Ancient Japan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Japan has a population of over 125 million people who form one large potentially interbreeding society. Society was divided into two classes in Feudal Japan, the nobility and the peasants. The noble class made up roughly 12% of the population with peasants making up the rest. In such a population, genetic drift would have virtually no effect.

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