What do geneticists aim to understand through the study of narrow sense heritability?

The correct choice reflects the goal of geneticists in understanding narrow sense heritability, which focuses specifically on the portion of phenotypic variance that can be attributed to additive genetic variance. In other words, it measures how much of the variation in a trait within a population can be passed from parents to offspring due to genetic factors. This understanding is crucial for predicting how traits will respond to selection pressures over generations, as it helps illustrate the connection between the genetic makeup (genotype) of individuals and their observable traits (phenotype).

Narrow sense heritability is particularly important when considering breeding strategies in both agriculture and conservation biology, as it can inform decisions about which individuals are most likely to produce offspring with desirable traits based on their genetic contributions. This concept forms the foundation for many studies in quantitative genetics, allowing researchers to quantify how traits may evolve in response to selective pressures.