Can adaptations result from genetic drift?
1 Answer
Mar 5, 2018
No
Explanation:
Adaption is defined as, "a change or the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment." Genetic drift, on the other hand, refers to the variation of alleles in a gene pool over time and is based solely on random chance events. If this change were to be considered an adaptation it could not be considered a result of genetic drift alone as the fact that this mutation made the organism better suited for its environment means that there would have been some sort of selective pressure.
Essentially, if it can be considered an adaptation it means that the loss of the less desirable allele could not happen out of chance alone as some of these alleles would be removed via natural selection as well.
