There is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species.
Scientists measured the genetic variation in populations of three species of cat. The higher the genetic variation index, the more genetic variation there is in the species.
The Table shows the results.
Table
| Species | Genetic variation index |
|---|---|
| cheetah | 0.02 |
| domestic cat | 0.35 |
| leopard | 0.30 |
Calculate how many times greater the genetic variation index of the domestic cat is than that of the cheetah.
Scientists think that, about 10 000 years ago, the number of cheetahs fell to only a few individuals.
Suggest why this explains the low genetic variation of cheetahs today.
A new disease spreads through populations of cheetahs and leopards.
Explain why the cheetah is more likely than the leopard to become extinct.
Give one source of new genetic variation in a population.
122 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Biology 5.2 Natural selection and evolution, covering 5.2.1 Genetic variation within a population, 5.2.2 Developments in classification systems, 5.2.3 How evolution occurs through natural selection, 5.2.4 Evolution as change over time, 5.2.5 Evidence for evolution, and 5.2.6 Darwin and Wallace. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.