What is the result of having a high allele frequency for a particular trait?

Having a high allele frequency for a particular trait means that a significant portion of the population carries that allele, which is a variant of a gene. When an allele is prevalent, it increases the chances of the trait associated with it being expressed in individuals of the population. This frequency can lead to the trait becoming a dominant characteristic, especially if the allele is dominant itself or if it is beneficial for survival and reproduction.

This situation often creates a feedback loop where the more individuals express a trait, the more likely it is to be passed on to future generations. Such traits can become integral to the identity of that population, both genetically and phenotypically. For example, if a trait provides a survival advantage, individuals with that trait may have increased reproductive success, further amplifying the allele's frequency.

In contrast, lower allele frequencies often correlate with traits that are less visible or less beneficial in a given environment, making them less likely to be expressed widely in the population. Hence, high allele frequency directly influences a trait's prominence and persistence in the population over time.