Question

Recessive mutations are not lost from a gene pool, this is known as

• A. Survival of the dominant
• B. Survival of the recessive
• C. Hardy-Weinberg law
• D. Darwin's gene mutation law

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Hardy-Weinberg law

According to the Hardy Weinberg law, the allele frequencies, irrespective of their dominance of recessiveness, in a population remain constant under absence of factors responsible for evolution (natural selection, migration, genetic drift). It states that the sum of all genotype frequencies can be represented as the binomial expansion of the square of the sum of p and q. This sum is equal to one.

(p + q)2 = $p^2$ + 2pq + $q^2$ = 1. Here, "p" is the frequency of dominant allele, $p^2$ is frequency of homozygous dominants, q is frequency of recessive allele and $q^2$ is frequency of homozygous recessive individuals. Darwin proposed that random mutations arise that changes characteristics of a population through the process of natural selection; he did not talk about dominant or recessive forms of mutations. Recessive mutations are accumulated within population in heterozygotes and are expressed when presented in homozygous conditions. The question is about recessive mutations. Thus, the correct answer is option C.