Final answer:
Inbreeding can change gene frequencies in a population by increasing the frequency of certain alleles. This can lead to decreased genetic diversity and increased risk of genetic disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, inbreeding can change gene frequencies in a population. Inbreeding refers to the mating between closely related individuals, such as siblings or cousins. When individuals with similar genotypes mate, it increases the chance of passing on the same alleles to their offspring, which can lead to an increase in the frequency of certain alleles. For example, if a population has a recessive allele that causes a particular trait or disease, and individuals within that population frequently mate with close relatives, then the frequency of that recessive allele can increase in subsequent generations. This is because close relatives are more likely to share the same recessive alleles, and the offspring of these matings are more likely to inherit two copies of the recessive allele.
Inbreeding can also lead to a decrease in genetic diversity within a population, as it reduces the number of unique alleles present in the gene pool. This can make a population more susceptible to the negative effects of inbreeding, such as increased risk of genetic disorders. Inbreeding can occur naturally in small populations or can be intentionally selected for in breeding programs to maintain specific traits in certain species.