The total collection of alleles in a population at a given time is the population's Blank.

The total collection of alleles in a population at a given time is the population's gene pool. A gene pool encompasses all the genetic information present within a population. This includes all the different alleles for every gene, representing the genetic diversity within that population.

The concept of a gene pool is crucial in understanding evolution and genetic variation. It plays a significant role in the process of natural selection, as the variations within the gene pool affect how populations adapt to their environments over time. When individuals with certain alleles reproduce, those alleles may become more or less common in the population, leading to evolutionary changes. Factors like migration, mutation, genetic drift, and selection pressure all influence the size and composition of a gene pool. Thus, maintaining a healthy gene pool is important for the survival and resilience of species.