Question

Gene flow is described as
A. The transfer of genes between the population which differ genetically from one another but can interbreed.
B. The exchange of genes from the female to male organism.
C. The transfer of genes from the nucleus to the chromosomes
D. The transfer of genes from sperm to the egg

Answer 1

Evolution among species of any population is not just because of natural selection or adaptation; it also takes place due to migration of flow of gene from one population to another. It is a random process that helps in increasing genetic variation.

Complete Answer:
- We know that evolution is the changes that are adapted by a population to survive. In the same way gene flow that is also considered as migration is a part of evolution. It is the movement of an organism and its genetic materials from one population to another.
- Gene flow includes many different events like pollen being blown to new people to new places.
- So, gene flow takes place between the two populations of the same organisms with the help of migration and maintained by vertical transfer of gene and reproduction to the offspring from the parents. It is an important mechanism of transferring the diversity in the gene within the population.
- It changes the genetic diversity distribution among the population by allele frequency modification. The main effect of gene flow is it increases the genetic variation of the population, however, the genetic difference among the population decreases when the gene flows between genetically distant populations.
- Therefore, the transfer of genes among genetically different populations is considered as gene flow. It includes the interbreeding of two populations. This process mixes the genes of two different populations and decreases the difference between them; it is opposite to the speciation.

Thus, the correct option is ‘A’. The transfer of genes between the population which differ genetically from one another but can interbreed.

Note: The gene flow and genetic drift change the frequency of allele of a population. In genetic drift the gene is passed down and the allele frequency changes in the population. The gene flow is random but can be controlled by genetic drift and natural selection.