Hunting nearly drove the American Bison to extinction One small colony survived Future generations had a reduction in genetic variety. This is an example of __ Gene Flow Natural Selection Mutation Genetic Drift Non Random Mating

## Step 1<br />The problem presents a scenario where a large population of American Bison was nearly driven to extinction due to hunting. However, a small colony managed to survive. The question asks us to identify the genetic phenomenon that best describes this situation.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Let's analyze each of the given options:<br /><br />### Gene Flow<br />This refers to the transfer of genetic variation from one population to another. It is not applicable in this case because the surviving Bison did not receive new genes from other Bison populations.<br /><br />### Natural Selection<br />This is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. This doesn't apply here because the Bison did not adapt to their environment due to hunting.<br /><br />### Mutation<br />This is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome. This doesn't apply here because the Bison did not undergo any DNA changes.<br /><br />### Genetic Drift<br />This is a mechanism of evolution that causes changes in the frequency of a gene variant in a population due to random sampling of organisms. This seems to fit the scenario because the surviving Bison had a reduced genetic variety due to the random survival of a small group.<br /><br />### Non-Random Mating<br />This refers to the selection of a partner for reproduction that is not random. This doesn't apply here because the Bison did not choose their mates based on any specific traits.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Based on most appropriate answer is 'Genetic Drift'. This is because the surviving Bison had a reduced genetic variety due to the random survival of a small group.