What is gene flow?

Gene flow is defined as a mechanism by which genes move from one population to another. This process typically occurs through mechanisms such as migration, where individuals from one population breed with individuals from another, introducing new genetic material into the receiving population. This can result in changes to the genetic diversity and allele frequencies of the populations involved.

Gene flow has significant implications for evolutionary processes because it can counteract the effects of genetic drift and natural selection, leading to increased genetic diversity within populations. When populations are geographically separated, genetic variation can be limited, but gene flow can help maintain or increase that variation by allowing the transfer of alleles across the populations.

The other choices do not accurately represent the concept of gene flow. Some refer to different processes, such as fixation within a population or mutations occurring within individual lineages, which are distinct from the migration of genes between populations. Understanding gene flow is essential for comprehending population genetics and the overall dynamics of species evolution.