What is the term for the percentage of a specific allele within a gene pool?

What is the term for the percentage of a specific allele within a gene pool?

• A. Gene Pool Concentration
• B. Allelic Frequency
• C. Genetic Variation
• D. Allelic Diversity

Answer: (B)

The term for the percentage of a specific allele within a gene pool is known as allelic frequency. This concept is fundamental in population genetics, where it represents how common a particular allele is compared to other alleles at the same locus in that population. Allelic frequency is calculated by taking the number of copies of a specific allele and dividing it by the total number of alleles for that gene across the population. Understanding allelic frequency is crucial for studying evolution, natural selection, and genetic drift since changes in allelic frequencies over generations can indicate how a population evolves in response to environmental pressures or other factors. It helps scientists gauge genetic diversity and predict how populations may respond to changes, such as habitat loss or climate change. In contrast, other terms like genetic variation refer to the diversity of genes within a population, while allelic diversity focuses more on the variety of alleles present, rather than their specific frequencies. Gene pool concentration is not a standard term used in genetic studies. Therefore, allelic frequency is the most accurate and relevant term in this context.

The term for the percentage of a specific allele within a gene pool is known as allelic frequency. This concept is fundamental in population genetics, where it represents how common a particular allele is compared to other alleles at the same locus in that population. Allelic frequency is calculated by taking the number of copies of a specific allele and dividing it by the total number of alleles for that gene across the population.

Understanding allelic frequency is crucial for studying evolution, natural selection, and genetic drift since changes in allelic frequencies over generations can indicate how a population evolves in response to environmental pressures or other factors. It helps scientists gauge genetic diversity and predict how populations may respond to changes, such as habitat loss or climate change.

In contrast, other terms like genetic variation refer to the diversity of genes within a population, while allelic diversity focuses more on the variety of alleles present, rather than their specific frequencies. Gene pool concentration is not a standard term used in genetic studies. Therefore, allelic frequency is the most accurate and relevant term in this context.