Final answer:
There are four main ways in which evolutionary change occurs in populations: mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four main ways in which evolutionary change occurs in populations are:
- Mutation: Mutation creates new genetic variation in a gene pool. It is a random process that introduces changes in the DNA sequence of an organism.
- Gene flow: Gene flow occurs when individuals migrate from one population to another, resulting in the transfer of genes. It can lead to an increase in genetic diversity within a population.
- Genetic drift: Genetic drift is the random change in allele frequencies in a population over time. It typically occurs in small populations and can lead to the loss of genetic variation.
- Natural selection: Natural selection is the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population over generations. It occurs when certain individuals have traits that give them a higher chance of survival and reproduction.