Which term refers to the genetic variation within a population?

Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. This concept encompasses the variety of genes and alleles present within a population, which can result from mutations, gene flow, and sexual reproduction. High genetic diversity is crucial for the adaptability and survival of populations as it provides a wider range of traits that can enhance resilience against environmental changes, diseases, and other challenges.

In the context of a population, genetic diversity allows for a variation in phenotypes, which are the physical expressions of genes, but it is distinct from both allele frequencies—which focus more specifically on the proportion of different alleles in the gene pool—and from genotypes, which are the specific genetic makeups of individual organisms. Therefore, genetic diversity is the most comprehensive term that encapsulates the overall variation in gene variants within a population.