Conservation biologists studying cheetan populations have determined that the lack of genetic diversity among the cheetahs is due to genetic drift. Which statement explains the most likely consequence of having a low genetic diversity on the cheetah population? F The chances of a mutation occurring in the cheetah population are decreased, increasing the cheetah survival rate. a The gene pool remains in equilibrium and future generations of cheetah offspring are stronger and better adapted to their environments. H The cheetah population becomes less likely to survive an outbreak of a disease or an environmental change increasing the chance of species extinction. 3 Genetic variability is maintained from older cheetah populations that have survived and endured environmental stressors.

## Step 1<br />The problem is about the consequences of low genetic diversity in a population, specifically in the case of cheetahs. Genetic diversity is crucial for the survival of a species as it allows for adaptation to changing environments and resistance to diseases.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Option F suggests that a decrease in genetic diversity would decrease the chances of a mutation occurring, which would increase the survival rate of the cheetahs. However, this is not accurate because mutations are random events that occur regardless of the genetic diversity of the population.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option G suggests that a low genetic diversity would lead to a gene pool in equilibrium, resulting in stronger and better adapted cheetah offspring. This is also not accurate because a low genetic diversity would not necessarily lead to a gene pool in equilibrium, and it would not necessarily result in stronger and better adapted offspring.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option H suggests that a low genetic diversity would make the cheetah population less likely to survive an outbreak of a disease or an environmental change, increasing the chance of species extinction. This is accurate because a low genetic diversity would mean that the cheetah population would not have a wide range of genetic variations to adapt to new diseases or environmental changes, which could lead to extinction.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option J suggests that a low genetic diversity would maintain genetic variability from older cheetah populations that have survived and endured environmental stressors. This is not accurate because a low genetic diversity would not necessarily maintain genetic variability from older populations.