Question

The sum total of genes of all individuals of a Mendelian population constitute
A. DNA pool
B. RNA pool
C. Chromosomal pool
D. Gene pool

Answer 1

Hint: The population is defined as the number of individuals at a given time in an area. It can be used in reference to the number at a given time of individuals possessing a specific character or group of characteristics in an environment. The sum total of genes constitutes the collection of different genes within an interbreeding population.

Complete answer:
In 1951, Dobzhansky described the Mendelian population as a sexual and cross-fertilizing reproductive group of individuals who share a shared pool of genes. The key property of a Mendelian population is that it should be infinitely large and that natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, gene transfer, non-random mating and reproduction should remain unaltered in its genetic makeup. It is said that such a population is in equilibrium.

Natural populations, however, replicate changes in genetic makeup and mediate them. Two major driving forces in evolution are mutations and choices. Mutations are unusual occurrences that cause heritable changes in the genetic material when genes are passed from one generation to another the set of different genes and their alleles found within a group of organisms that reproduce sexually is a gene pool. The gene pool is defined by frequencies of alleles and frequencies of genotypes. So, we can assume that the aggregate total of all individuals constitutes a gene pool in a Mendelian population.

So, the correct answer is option D.

Note: A genome is an organism's full collection of genetic material, while a genotype relates to an organism's genetic makeup and forms the basis for an organism's physical characteristics. Gene frequency is measured as the occurrence in a given population of an allele at a genetic locus.