What concept refers to the gradual change in the genetic composition of a population over time?

The concept that refers to the gradual change in the genetic composition of a population over time is evolution. Evolution encompasses the processes that lead to changes in allele frequencies within a population due to various mechanisms, including natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. This ongoing process explains the adaptation of species to their environments and the emergence of new species over prolonged periods.

While genetic mutation contributes to evolution by introducing new genetic variations into a population, it is just one aspect of the broader concept of evolutionary change. Gene drift refers specifically to random changes in allele frequencies in small populations, which can lead to significant evolutionary changes over time, but does not encompass all evolutionary processes. Genomic imprinting involves the differential expression of genes depending on their parental origin and does not address changes in genetic composition across a population.

In summary, evolution is the overarching process that accounts for genetic changes across generations within a population, capturing the multifaceted mechanisms that drive biological diversity and adaptation.