Final answer:
Exchanging genes due to migration is an example of gene flow, a process where alleles are transferred across populations, contributing to genetic diversity. This transfer can be due to human migration patterns or movement of individuals in animal and plant species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exchanging genes as a result of migration is an example of gene flow, which is a critical evolutionary process. This flow of alleles (versions of a gene) occurs when individuals or their gametes (like pollen in plants or people in human migration) move from one region or population to another, contributing to genetic diversity within populations. Migration patterns and cultural practices have a profound impact on gene flow, influencing the genetic variation of human populations, and thereby affecting health outcomes and immunity. When populations intermingle through migration and cultural exchanges, such as global trade, new genetic variations are introduced, increasing the overall genetic diversity and the adaptability of a species to different environments or changes.
An example of gene flow can be seen in human populations moving from one country to another, often referred to as the Founder Effect. This situation involves a small group of individuals separating from a larger population to establish a new population, carrying with them a set of genes that might become prevalent in the new population.
Gene flow is also common in other organisms. Many plants spread their seeds by wind or animals, which might introduce alleles common in one population into another where they were previously rare, while animals such as lions experience gene flow through immigration and emigration within prides.