Question

An allele can increase in frequency in a population if:

(A) on average, individuals in the population that have the allele have higher reproductive success than individuals with other alleles
(B) the allele causes behaviors that result in other individuals in the population that carry the allele having lower reproductive success
(C) the allele increases longevity, but the average lifetime reproductive success is lower for individuals that have the allele than for individuals with alternative alleles
(D) none are correct

Answer 1

An allele will increase in frequency within a population if it confers a reproductive advantage to the individuals who carry it, leading to a higher number of surviving offspring who also carry the allele.

Step-by-step explanation:

An allele can increase in frequency in a population if, on average, individuals in the population that have the allele have higher reproductive success than individuals with other alleles. This process is a part of population genetics and the broader understanding of how natural selection affects the prevalence of specific alleles within a gene pool.

The higher reproductive success is due to the beneficial effects of alleles that contribute to favorable traits which confer advantages in survival and reproduction. Over time, these beneficial alleles can become fixed in the population, while alleles that result in lower reproductive success may be eliminated.