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population genetics

American  

noun

  1. the branch of genetics concerned with the hereditary makeup of populations.

  2. the study of changes in gene frequencies in population of organisms and the effects of such changes on evolution and adaptation.


population genetics Scientific  
  1. The scientific study of the inheritance and prevalence of genes in populations, usually using statistical analysis.


population genetics Cultural  
  1. The study of the genetic composition of populations in order to understand the evolutionary forces that select for a particular gene.


Etymology

Origin of population genetics

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"There are a variety of factors – the ageing population, genetics and cancer recurring, but the way we live is definitely a factor."

From BBC Feb. 13, 2025

This emerging method is used for mapping, population genetics, genetic mapping and estimating alleles.

From Science Daily Mar. 26, 2024

In the early twentieth century, biologists in a field of study known as population genetics began to study how selective forces change a population through changes in allele and genotypic frequencies.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Alex Mas Sandoval, a Spanish researcher in population genetics at the University of Bologna, said he was “appalled” when he heard that the Buffalo gunman had tried to use science to justify his actions.

From New York Times Jun. 9, 2022

Their rationale: They say their population genetics study was cultural, not health-related, and therefore did not fall under the jurisdiction of the NEC or the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board.

From Salon Mar. 4, 2022

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