The frequency of a particular allele within a population can be changed over generations by which factor or process? a. Selection b. Random Mating c. Complete Inbreeding d. Large Population Size

The correct answer is **a. Selection**.<br /><br />Here's why:<br /><br />* **Selection (Natural or Artificial):** Selection, whether natural or artificial, directly favors certain alleles over others. Individuals with advantageous alleles are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those alleles on to the next generation. This increases the frequency of the advantageous allele and decreases the frequency of less advantageous alleles.<br /><br />* **Random Mating:** Random mating, by definition, means that mate selection is not influenced by genotypes. While random mating helps maintain genetic diversity, it doesn't, on its own, *change* allele frequencies. It simply shuffles existing alleles within the population.<br /><br />* **Complete Inbreeding:** Inbreeding increases homozygosity (individuals having two identical alleles for a gene). While it can expose recessive alleles to selection, it doesn't directly *change* the overall frequency of alleles in the population. It primarily changes how those alleles are paired in individuals.<br /><br />* **Large Population Size:** A large population size helps buffer against random fluctuations in allele frequencies (genetic drift). It promotes stability in allele frequencies rather than causing directional change. In smaller populations, random events can have a more significant impact on allele frequencies.<br />