Question at position 21 What is the most important determinant of genetic differences between populations of humans across the world?RaceEthnicityGeographic distanceLocal adaptationClear my selection

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To approach this question, consider what primarily shapes the overall genetic differences observed among human populations globally.
Option 1: Race. This is a social construct rather than a robust biological determinant of genetic differentiation. Genetic variation exists on a continuum and does not align neatly with racial categories, so this choice misrepresents how populations differ at the genetic level.
Option 2: Ethnicity. Like race, ethnicity reflects cultural and social identifiers rather than being a direct driver of genome-wide differences. While historical migrations and admixture can correlate with ethnic groupings, ethnicity itself does not causally determine the level of genetic divergence across populations.
Option 3: Geographic distance. This is a strong, well-supported determinant because gene flow tends to decrease with increasing distance between groups (isolation by distance). Over generations, nearby populations exchange more genes, while distant populations accumulate differences, making geographic distance a key predictor of genetic differentiation.
Option 4: Local adaptation. Local adaptation explains how populations diverge in response to specific environmental pressures, but it is one mechanism that contributes to differences rather than the primary global determinant of all genetic differences among populations. It operates within and between groups rather than accounting for the broad, baseline pattern of differentiation driven by distance and gene flow.
In summary, geographic distance best accounts for the broad pattern of genetic differences observed between human populations worldwide, because it governs the extent of gene flow and separation over time, whereas race and ethnicity reflect social constructs, and local adaptation explains specific selective outcomes rather than the foundational structure of global genetic variation.

Question at position 21 What is the most important determinant of genetic differences between populations of humans across the world?RaceEthnicityGeographic distanceLocal adaptationClear my selection

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