What causes the movement of alleles between populations?

• A. Mutation
• B. Natural selection
• C. Gene flow
• D. Genetic drift

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of gene flow: Gene flow, also known as gene migration, is the transfer of genetic material (alleles) from one population to another. This process can occur when individuals from different populations interbreed, leading to the introduction of new alleles into a population.
2. Differentiate between the given options: Mutation refers to changes in the DNA sequence, natural selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, and genetic drift is the change in the frequency of an allele in a population due to random sampling.
3. Identify the role of gene flow: Gene flow increases genetic diversity within a population by introducing new alleles, which can affect the population's genetic structure and potentially its evolutionary trajectory.
4. Consider the context of allele movement: While mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift can influence allele frequencies, gene flow specifically involves the movement of alleles between populations, making it the correct answer in this context.
5. Summarize the importance of gene flow: Gene flow is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity and can prevent populations from becoming genetically distinct, which is important for the adaptability and survival of species.