Which statement describes founder genetic drift?

Founder genetic drift occurs when a small group of individuals from a larger population establishes a new population in a different location. This small group may not represent the genetic diversity of the original population, leading to a situation where certain alleles become more prevalent simply by chance. As a result, the new population often has reduced genetic variability compared to the population from which it originated. This effect can significantly shape the genetic makeup of the new population over time, making option C the most accurate description of founder genetic drift.

In contrast, the other statements do not encapsulate the essence of this genetic phenomenon. For instance, stating that it results from multiple generations reproducing misrepresents the fundamental aspect of founder genetic drift, as it specifically involves a small initial group rather than ongoing generational processes. Similarly, a random event affecting all individuals in a population characterizes other forms of genetic drift but not founder genetic drift, which specifically focuses on a small subset colonizing a new area. Lastly, whether a population adapts to environmental changes over generations pertains to natural selection rather than genetic drift.