Question

Identify the assumptions which are not required by a population to reach Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

I. Random mating
II. Sexual reproduction
III. Non-overlapping generations
IV. Occurrence of natural selection
V. Small size in population

• A. IV and V
• B. II and IV
• C. III, IV and V
• D. I, II and III

Answer 1

The correct option is A IV and V

According to Hardy-Weinberg principle, the frequency of occurrence of alleles of a gene or a locus in a population is stable and is constant from generations to generations. Factors which affect the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are gene flow, genetic drift, mutation, genetic recombination and natural selection.

Occurrence of natural selection and small size in population do not meet the criteria for a population to reach Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This is because, if the population is undergoing natural selection at the locus under consideration, allele frequencies change continuously in a specific direction. But, according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, frequency of occurrence of alleles remains constant. Also, it assumes that population size is very large.