In population genetics, selecting parents with many favorable alleles is known as

• A. Selection
• B. Migration
• C. Mutation
• D. Genetic drift

Answer: (A)

This is about selection. Choosing parents with many favorable alleles increases the frequency of those alleles in the next generation because the better-genotyped individuals contribute more offspring. In breeding, this is artificial selection, a human-directed form of selection. It differs from migration (gene flow between populations), mutation (creation of new alleles), and genetic drift (random changes in allele frequencies, especially in small populations). The key idea is differential reproductive success based on favorable genetic makeup.