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Explanation of how natural selection impacts allele frequencies in a population:
1. Variation: Within a population, individuals have different traits due to genetic variation caused by mutations, genetic recombination, and gene flow.
2. Differential Reproduction: Natural selection acts on this variation by favoring individuals with traits that provide a reproductive advantage in a specific environment. These advantageous traits increase an individual's likelihood of surviving, reproducing, and passing on their genes to the next generation.
3. Allele Frequency Changes: As individuals with advantageous traits survive and reproduce more successfully, the alleles that contribute to these traits become more common in the population over time. Conversely, alleles associated with traits that are less advantageous may decrease in frequency or be eliminated.
4. Adaptation: Over generations, this process leads to the accumulation of alleles that are better suited to the environment, resulting in the population becoming better adapted to its surroundings. This adaptation through natural selection helps populations survive and thrive in their specific habitats.
In summary, natural selection influences allele frequencies in a population by favoring certain traits that enhance survival and reproduction, leading to changes in the genetic makeup of the population over time to better suit its environment.
