Question

A gene pool consists of
(a) the entire genome of a reproducing individual
(b) the total of all alleles present in a population
(c) the frequencies of alleles for a gene locus within the population
(d) all the gametes in a population

Answer 1

Hint: The total collection of different genes within an interbreeding population is known as a gene pool. It tells the sum of a population’s genetic material at a given period of time.

Complete answer:
A gene pool includes all genes and combinations of genes or we can say all of the alleles in the population of a given species. It can change over time through evolution and can occur in a variety of different ways like mutations, natural selection, and genetic drift. It depends on the population’s specific environment. For instance, the human population who migrated from equatorial regions toward northern climates were exposed to comparatively low amounts of sunlight. Over time this resulted in changes in skin pigmentation with skin shade becoming lighter in color to vitamin D absorption. This happens as vitamin D is critical for correct bone development. This pigmentation change became a part of the populations’ gene pools. The gene pool is influenced by the ability of a population to adapt and evolve. There is an improvement in the population’s chances for future adaptation in the large and diverse gene pool. A narrower gene pool is less successful with swift environmental change.
So the correct option is ‘the total of all alleles present in a population’.

Note:
Natural selection - Process of selection of characteristics and changes that occur during the lifetime of an organism can make better survival in nature than the other, which are passed onto the next generations, we can say they are selected naturally.
Genetic drift - The change in the frequency of the allele or gene variation occurs randomly and the prevention of gene flow between the different populations is considered. Here mutations also play a chief role to create a sudden shift in gene frequencies.