Question

type of genetic drift where a small group of the population splits off from the larger population and starts their own population
natural selection
evolution
frequency
population bottleneck
mutation
founder effect
gene flow
geographic separation

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Natural selection: Involves survival of fittest, not splitting off. Eliminate.
• Evolution: Broad change over time, not specific to small group splitting. Eliminate.
• Frequency: Related to allele frequencies, not group splitting. Eliminate.
• Population bottleneck: Reduces population size due to event, not splitting. Eliminate.
• Mutation: Change in DNA, not group splitting. Eliminate.
• Founder effect: Defined as a small group splitting from a larger population to start their own, matching the description.
• Gene flow: Transfer of genes between populations, not splitting to form new. Eliminate.
• Geographic separation: Physical separation, not about starting a new population via splitting. Eliminate.

Answer:

founder effect