What best describes the concept of inbreeding in a population?

Inbreeding refers specifically to the breeding of individuals that are closely related to one another. This can include mating between siblings, cousins, or other relatives within a population. The primary concern with inbreeding is that it increases the likelihood of offspring inheriting deleterious alleles, which can lead to a higher incidence of genetic disorders and reduced biological fitness. In contrast to mating types that involve non-relatives, distant relatives, or random mating, inbreeding creates a more genetically homogenous population where recessive traits can become more prevalent. This concept is critical in understanding genetic diversity and the health of populations.