AP Biology 7.4.C: Genetic Change in Populations

Practise AP Biology 7.4.C questions by using allele-frequency and heritable-phenotype data as evidence that a population has evolved.

Exam points

identify changes in allele frequencies as genetic evidence that a population has evolved
interpret population data and graphs to describe changes in genetic makeup over time
connect environmental selection pressures with changes in gene frequencies or heritable phenotypes

[Maximum number: 1]

Twenty million years ago the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean were connected, and water

flowed freely between the two bodies of water. Many of the same marine species were found

in both areas. Over millions of years, the land referred to as the Isthmus of Panama formed,

eventually closing off the connection between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean and creating

two separate bodies of water. The ecology of these two marine habitats was dramatically altered

by this land formation. The warmer Caribbean water could no longer flow west, so the Pacific

water cooled and became more nutrient-rich, while the Caribbean water became warmer.

Describe the genetic evidence that evolution is occurring in a population.

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