What is the process called by which populations become genetically distinct?

The process by which populations become genetically distinct is called speciation. This is a key concept in evolutionary biology, referring to the process through which new species arise from existing populations. Speciation typically occurs when groups within a population become isolated, whether geographically or reproductively, leading to genetic divergence over time.

As these isolated groups adapt to their unique environments and accumulate genetic changes, they may reach a point where they can no longer interbreed successfully with the original population, thus forming a new species. This process emphasizes the role of genetic variation and environmental pressures in shaping the evolutionary pathways of organisms.

In contrast, hybridization involves the crossbreeding of two different species or populations, which can lead to mixed genetic traits but does not necessarily create distinct genetic populations. Adaptation refers to the changes that allow a population to better survive in its environment, while genetic drift is a random process that can lead to changes in allele frequencies within a population. However, these processes do not specifically describe the formation of new species, which is the essence of speciation.