What does heterozygosity indicate about a population?

Heterozygosity refers to the presence of different alleles at a gene locus within an individual or a population. When this term is applied to a population, it indicates the genetic diversity present in that population. High heterozygosity suggests that there are many different alleles for a given gene among the individuals, which increases the probability of selecting different alleles from that population during reproduction.

This genetic variability is crucial for the adaptability and resilience of a population, allowing it to respond more effectively to environmental changes or diseases. Therefore, by assessing heterozygosity, researchers can gauge the likelihood of different alleles being present and passed on to the next generation, contributing to the genetic richness of the population.

This understanding plays a significant role in conservation biology, as populations with low heterozygosity may be more vulnerable to extinction due to their reduced ability to adapt to changes.