Gene pool
Studying populations through genetics
Population genetics looks at the inheritance of genes at the population level, which is at the heart of evolution.
Researchers in this field examine both the frequency and the interaction of genes and their variants (alleles) in a population. This information can be used, for example, to understand why one population is more or less susceptible to a disease than another.
Lead image:Illustration © Glen McBeth
Related resources
Time for a check-up
Epidemiology looks at a population’s health
Extreme locations
Finding life where you least expect it
Hindsight is 20/20
Fields of scientific study often overlap, and population studies are a case in point