Why does the rate of evolution by genetic drift equal the mutation rate, and not depend on the population size?

a) The rate of evolution and the mutation rate are the same concepts, thus they must be equal.

b) Because the rate of evolution depends on the number of new mutations, which is directly proportional to population size, and the probability of fixation of a new mutation, which is inversely proportional to population size.

c) Because population size does not affect the rate at which genetic drift changes allele frequencies in a population.

d) The rate of evolution depends on the selection coefficient of new mutations, which is independent of population size. Thus, the rate of evolution by genetic drift does not depend on population size.

e) None of the above. The rate of evolution by genetic drift does depend on the population size.