What is gene flow?

Gene flow refers to the transfer of genetic material between populations. Specifically, it is the migration of alleles into or out of a population, which can occur when individuals from one population breed with individuals from another population. This process increases genetic diversity within a population and can affect allele frequencies over time, potentially leading to evolutionary changes.

When gene flow occurs, beneficial alleles can spread to different populations, countering the effects of genetic drift and selection, which might act to isolate populations genetically. It plays a significant role in maintaining genetic variation, which is crucial for the adaptability of populations to changing environments.

The other options refer to different genetic concepts, such as reproductive success, natural selection, and genetic drift, which do not encompass the specific process of gene flow. Understanding gene flow is key to grasping concepts related to population genetics and evolutionary biology.