Microevolution typically involves which of the following?

Microevolution refers to small-scale evolutionary changes that occur within a population over time, primarily driven by mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. Genetic drift, especially in small populations, can lead to changes in allele frequencies purely by chance, rather than through adaptive processes. This can result in the gradual alteration of characteristics in the population, which reflects the fundamental concept of microevolution.

In contrast, larger morphological changes and the evolution of entirely new species fall under the umbrella of macroevolution, which encompasses broader evolutionary changes across larger time scales and often involves significant shifts in structure and function. Immediate adaptations to extreme environments can occur and may lead to evolutionary change, but these adaptations are not the same as the subtle, cumulative changes described by microevolution. Therefore, the focus on genetic drift within a small population as a mechanism of microevolution is key to understanding how populations evolve over time through small, incremental changes.