What term encompasses all the possible alleles for a given species?

The term that encompasses all the possible alleles for a given species is referred to as the gene pool. This concept represents the complete set of genetic information within a population, including all variations of genes across individuals. Each allele provides a potential form of a gene that can influence traits or characteristics within that species. Understanding the gene pool is essential in studying genetics and evolution, as it reflects the genetic diversity and adaptability of a population, which can impact its ability to survive and reproduce in changing environments.

In contrast, recombinant DNA refers to the technology used to combine DNA from different sources, while the genome specifically refers to the complete set of genetic material (DNA) within an organism, not the variability among alleles within a population. Genetic variation is a broader term that encompasses differences in alleles and can be seen within a population, but it does not denote the totality of those alleles as the gene pool does.