Question Details

This statement describes the Hardy-Weinberg law the best

Options

A

mechanism of inheritance in a large population does not change allele frequency

B

it is impossible to predict expected allele frequencies mathematically

C

in large populations, dominant alleles become more prevalent

D

allele frequency changes over a period of time in a large population

Correct Answer :

mechanism of inheritance in a large population does not change allele frequency

Solution :

The correct option is: "mechanism of inheritance in a large population does not change allele frequency".

The Hardy-Weinberg law (or equilibrium) is a fundamental principle in population genetics. It states that in a large, randomly mating population that is free from evolutionary forces, both allele frequencies and genotype frequencies will remain constant (in equilibrium) from generation to generation.

This law establishes that the sexual reproduction process and the basic mechanism of Mendelian inheritance alone—without other external factors—do not alter the genetic makeup of a population. That is, the mixing of alleles through meiosis and random fertilization does not change the overall allele frequencies in the gene pool over time.

For the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium to hold, several conditions must be met:
1. Large population size: The population must be large to minimize the effects of genetic drift (random changes in allele frequencies).
2. Random mating: Organisms must mate randomly with respect to the gene in question.
3. No mutation: No new alleles can be introduced, and existing alleles cannot change.
4. No gene flow: There must be no migration of individuals (and their alleles) into or out of the population.
5. No natural selection: All genotypes must have equal survival and reproductive success.

Because the law describes a scenario where allele frequencies remain stable under the influence of inheritance alone in a large population, the description stating that the "mechanism of inheritance in a large population does not change allele frequency" is the most accurate representation of the Hardy-Weinberg principle.

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