A population will not exist in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ifa)there ar...
The theory of Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium states that in the absence of disturbance on the level of genetic structure, a population’s existance will not continue. Thus mating should be in a random way.
A population will not exist in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ifa)there ar...
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Overview
The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is a principle in population genetics that describes the genetic variation in a population under certain ideal conditions. For a population to maintain this equilibrium, several assumptions must be met.
Conditions for Equilibrium
To remain in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, a population must satisfy the following conditions:
- No mutations: There should be no changes in the DNA sequences.
- Random mating: Individuals must mate randomly without any preference for specific traits.
- Large population size: The population must be sufficiently large to prevent genetic drift.
- No migration: There should be no movement of individuals in or out of the population.
- No natural selection: All individuals must have equal chances of survival and reproduction.
Why Selective Mating Disrupts Equilibrium
The correct answer, option 'B', emphasizes that selective mating disrupts the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium:
- Definition of Selective Mating: Selective mating occurs when individuals choose their mates based on specific traits, such as physical appearance or genetic background.
- Impact on Genetic Frequencies: This preference can lead to an increase in homozygosity for certain alleles and a decrease in genetic diversity. Consequently, allele frequencies will change over generations.
- Deviation from Randomness: Since random mating is a critical assumption for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, any form of selective mating causes the population to deviate from this ideal state.
Conclusion
In summary, selective mating introduces biases in mate choice, which alters allele frequencies and disrupts the balance required for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Thus, for a population to maintain this equilibrium, random mating is essential.
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