Question

identify the mechanism discussed below.
gene flow the transfer of genes from one population to another
drives the changes that occur in populations
mutation a permanent change in the dna sequence of a gene
gene flow the random change in the frequency of an allele in a population
genetic drift
natural selection

Explanation:

To identify the mechanism that "drives the changes that occur in populations", we analyze each option:

• Mutation: A permanent DNA change (not about driving population - wide change).
• Gene flow: Transfer of genes between populations (not the main driver of overall population change).
• Genetic drift: Random change in allele frequency (more about randomness, not the primary driver of adaptive population change).
• Natural selection: It is the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus driving adaptive changes in populations over time.

Answer:

natural selection (from the dropdown options: natural selection)