Low genetic variation or a lack of genetic diversity increases the risks of extinction. Scientists have observed this in cheetah populations. Captive feline cheetahs at a breeding colony for large cats were exposed to a viral pathogen that killed roughly 50% of the cheetah population. None of the lions in the large cat population developed symptoms or were affected. Scientists know that lions have a more extensive genetic variation, which means they had the gene variations in their immune system necessary to fend off the disease. Describe the evidence that supports how the cheetah population is likely experiencing a lack of genetic diversity. Suggest one way humans can intervene to increase genetic diversity. Predict a potential adaptation that could result from this increase in diversity. (Please be longer than a few sentences)

Because the pathogen killed off 50% of the population that means half of the population was susceptible to the disease, meaning that genetic variation is incredibly low because 50% of the species is the same. Humans can fix this by interbreeding cheetahs with different traits, or even breed them with a different species that is compatible for reproduction.

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jadyn200514 jadyn200514 · Answer 2 · 2021-04-13T01:15:55+02:00

Answer:

This is what I put, it hasn't been graded yet tho

Explanation:

Captive feline cheetahs at a breeding colony for large cats were exposed to a viral pathogen that killed roughly 50% of the cheetah population. None of the lions in the large cat population developed symptoms or were affected. Scientists know that lions have a more extensive genetic variation, which means they had the gene variations in their immune system necessary to fend off the disease. This proves that the lack in genetic variation in the cheetahs allowed for the population to become infected. The Lions are4 known to have more extensive genetic variation, and had the right gene variation in their immune system to prevent the viral pathogen from effecting its population. If the root of the problem is lack of genetic variation, humans can artificially select and breed the cheetahs to have a larger and more diverse genetic variation pattern within the population. Because the pathogen killed off 50% of the population that means half of the population was susceptible to the disease, meaning that genetic variation is incredibly low because 50% of the species are the same. Humans can fix this by interbreeding cheetahs with different traits, or even breed them with a different species that is compatible for reproduction.