A very small population of a species faces a greater threat ofextinction. Provide a suitable genetic explanation

A small population of a species faces a greater threat of extinction due to several genetic factors:

1. Genetic Diversity: In a small population, there is less genetic diversity. Genetic diversity is crucial for survival as it allows a species to adapt to changes in the environment. If the environment changes (e.g., a new disease appears), and all individuals in the population are genetically similar, it's likely that the entire population could be wiped out.

2. Inbreeding: Small populations are more likely to breed amongst themselves. This inbreeding can lead to an increase in the frequency of harmful genetic traits that can threaten the survival of the population.

3. Genetic Drift: In small populations, genetic drift can have a significant impact. Genetic drift is the random fluctuation in the frequency of a gene variant in a population. In small populations, these random changes can result in certain genes becoming more common or disappearing entirely, which can reduce genetic diversity and the population's ability to adapt.

4. Bottleneck Effect: If a population is drastically reduced in size due to a catastrophic event, the genetic diversity of the population will be reduced. This is known as the bottleneck effect. The reduced genetic diversity can make the population more vulnerable to other threats, increasing the risk of extinction.

5. Founder Effect: If a new population is started by only a few individuals, those individuals may not represent the full genetic diversity of the original population. This is known as the founder effect. The new population will have less genetic diversity, making it more vulnerable to environmental changes and diseases.

In conclusion, the genetic explanation for why a small population of a species faces a greater threat of extinction is primarily due to reduced genetic diversity and the increased likelihood of harmful genetic traits becoming common due to inbreeding, genetic drift, the bottleneck effect, and the founder effect.