What field of study focuses on the distribution of allele frequency changes within populations?

The field that focuses on the distribution of allele frequency changes within populations is population genetics. This area of study examines how genetic variation among individuals in a population can change over time due to processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow. Population genetics seeks to understand the genetic structure of populations, how evolutionary forces shape this structure, and the mechanisms that lead to changes in allele frequencies. By analyzing these shifts, researchers can infer patterns of evolution and the adaptive strategies of organisms in response to environmental pressures.

Other fields listed, such as molecular biology, primarily explore the biochemical processes within cells, including nucleic acids and protein interactions, rather than focusing on population-level genetic changes. Ecology, while related, is more concerned with interactions among organisms and their environments rather than genetic variability within populations. Phylogenetics deals with evolutionary relationships among species but does not specifically address allele frequency changes within populations.