What is the term for the change in the genetic makeup of a population over many generations?

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

Answer: (B)

The term for the change in the genetic makeup of a population over many generations is biological evolution. This concept encompasses the gradual development of species through changes in their genetic traits, influenced by various mechanisms over time. Biological evolution is a broad term that describes not only the changes that occur within a population but also includes the processes that lead to the diversity of life on Earth.

In the context of genetics, evolution occurs as a result of several mechanisms, including natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and mutations. However, biological evolution specifically refers to the overall process in which these mechanisms contribute to the change in the frequency of alleles in a population's gene pool across generations. This makes it the most encompassing term compared to the more specific processes of the other choices.