Short Essay Questions (You will get two, 5 points each)
1. How does gene flow differ from genetic drift?
The main difference between gene flow and genetic drift is that gene flow refers to the transfer of
genes between populations whereas genetic drift is the variation of allele frequencies in small
populations, allowing the disappearance of alleles from the population. Gene flow allows the
combination of gene pools of two populations.
2. Why is a frameshift mutation far more likely to lead to a defective protein than a point
mutation? A mutation in a DNA chain that occurs when the number of nucleotides inserted or deleted is
not a multiple of three, so that every codon beyond the point of insertion or deletion is read incorrectly
during translation.
3. Provide an imaginary example of the proper use of the scientific method. You turn a light switch,
and the bulb does not light.
• Observation: Light bulb did not light.
• Question: Is the light bulb blown?
