Which of the following statements about genetic drift is true?

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that describes the random changes in allele frequencies within a population. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in small populations where chance events can have a larger impact on the genetic makeup of the population. For example, if a few individuals contribute disproportionately to the next generation due to random sampling, the allele frequencies can shift significantly compared to larger populations, where such random fluctuations tend to average out.

In small populations, genetic drift can lead to the fixation or loss of alleles purely by chance rather than through natural selection. This randomness is a key feature that distinguishes genetic drift from other mechanisms such as natural selection, which is directional and non-random.

The correct statement highlights this unique characteristic of genetic drift, emphasizing its stochastic nature in small populations. This understanding is essential in the study of population genetics and the impact of genetic drift on evolutionary processes.