Question

When females choose mates based on attractiveness of certain characteristics, which condition of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is in violation?

• A. Large population
• B. No gene flow
• C. No mutation
• D. No natural selection
• E. Random mating

Answer 1

The correct option is E Random mating

The Hardy-Weinberg law or Hardy-Weinberg theorem or Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is the fundamental law of population genetics which provides the basis for studying the Mendelian populations. This law was independently developed by GH Hardy, an English mathematician and G Weinberg, a German physician in 1908. This law states that genes and genotypic frequencies in a mendelian population remain constant generation after generation, if there is no selection, mutation, migration or random drift.

Thus the original proportions of the genotype in a population will remain constant from generation to generation, as long as the following assumptions are met:

1. The population size is very large.

2. No genes are input from other sources i.e. no gene flow takes place.

3. No mutation takes place.

4. No natural selection occurs.

5. Random mating is occurring.

Hence if females choose mates based on attractiveness of certain characteristics, this will be not be a random mating and will violate the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

So, the correct answer is 'Random mating'.