What does gene flow primarily involve?

Gene flow primarily involves the movement of genes among populations, including gametes. This process is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity within a population and can influence evolutionary dynamics. When individuals from different populations mate and exchange genetic material, it introduces new alleles into the recipient population. This exchange can increase genetic variation, which is essential for a population's ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Gene flow is different from other processes such as the extinction of species, which focuses on the loss of species rather than genetic exchange. Additionally, while the movement of alleles within a population pertains to changes occurring internally, gene flow specifically refers to the transfer of genetic material between distinct populations. The establishment of a new population in a different habitat, often termed as colonization, does not inherently involve the ongoing exchange of genes but rather the initial introduction of a subset of individuals into a new area. Therefore, option C accurately captures the essence of gene flow as a dynamic and integral process in population genetics.