Final answer:
Population genetics is the study of genes and their frequencies in populations. It examines the changes in allele and genotypic frequencies caused by selective forces, such as natural selection and genetic drift.
Step-by-step explanation:
Population genetics is the study of genes and their frequencies in populations. It focuses on how selective forces change a population through changes in allele and genotypic frequencies.
For example, scientists studying mosquito populations found that the frequency of one resistance allele for pesticide resistance was 6.3%, while another resistance allele had a frequency of 74.6%, and the non-resistance allele had a frequency of 19.0%. These frequencies add up to 100% and represent the gene pool of the population.
In population genetics, scientists explore how natural selection, genetic drift, and founder effects can lead to significant changes in the genome of a population.