Which of the following processes is a result of a bottleneck effect?

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The bottleneck effect is a specific occurrence in population genetics that happens when a population's size is significantly reduced for at least one generation. This can result from various factors such as natural disasters, habitat loss, or human activities. The key characteristic of the bottleneck effect is that it drastically reduces the genetic diversity of the remaining population, which can lead to a decline in genetic variation.

This diminished genetic diversity arises because only a small number of individuals contribute to the gene pool after the population bottleneck. Therefore, the genetic makeup of the resulting population reflects only a limited subset of the original genetic diversity. As a consequence, certain traits may become more common, and the population could be more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes due to reduced adaptability.

In contrast, the other options represent different evolutionary processes or outcomes. Diversification of species pertains to adaptive radiation and speciation processes that occur over longer timescales and under different conditions. The evolution of particular traits in isolation can occur due to different selective pressures on small populations but does not directly result from the bottleneck effect itself. Genetic diversity restoration suggests an eventual recovery of genetic variability, which might occur over time but is not a direct result of the bottleneck situation. Thus, the best answer reflects the immediate consequence