In population genetics, mathematicians develop theories to explain the prevalence of what?

• A. Genetic mutations
• B. Phenotypic traits
• C. Alleles within populations
• D. Chromosomal abnormalities

Answer: (C)

In population genetics, the primary focus is on understanding the distribution and behavior of alleles within populations over time. Alleles are different versions of a gene, and their frequencies can be influenced by various evolutionary forces such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. By developing mathematical models and theories, researchers can predict how these forces will affect allele frequencies across generations, thereby providing insights into the genetic structure and diversity of populations.

Population genetics seeks to explain variations in allele frequencies and how these contribute to the overall genetic diversity in a given population. This is essential for understanding evolutionary processes, as shifts in allele frequencies can lead to adaptation, speciation, or the effects of environmental pressures on a population.

While genetic mutations, phenotypic traits, and chromosomal abnormalities are relevant to genetics, they do not encapsulate the specific focus of population genetics. Genetic mutations contribute to variation and can lead to changes in alleles, phenotypic traits may arise from allele combinations but are not the central focus of population genetic theory, and chromosomal abnormalities can impact genetic inheritance but are not the primary study of population statistical models. Hence, the emphasis on alleles provides a clearer framework for understanding genetic diversity and evolutionary processes within populations.