Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What does the gene pool of a population encompass?

1. The survival rate of organisms

2. The sum total of all alleles in a population

3. The breeding behaviors of a species

4. The environmental factors influencing genetics

The correct answer is: The sum total of all alleles in a population

The gene pool of a population encompasses the sum total of all alleles in that population. This includes all the genetic information present within the individuals that make up the population, effectively representing the variety of genetic options that are available for inheritance. A diverse gene pool can contribute to the adaptability and resilience of a population, as it allows for a greater range of traits that may prove beneficial in changing environments or under different survival challenges. In contrast, while survival rates of organisms, breeding behaviors, and environmental influences are important aspects in the study of populations and their dynamics, they do not define the concept of a gene pool itself. Survival rates might reflect the success of certain traits within a population, but they do not indicate the genetic diversity present. Breeding behaviors describe how organisms mate and reproduce, which can impact allele frequencies over time but is not a direct measure of the genetic variation itself. Environmental factors certainly play a role in genetics by influencing which alleles are advantageous or disadvantageous, but they also do not constitute the genetic makeup encapsulated in the gene pool.