Question

Which of the following factors influence the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
i. Gene migration
ii. Genetic drift
iii. Mutation
iv. Reproduction
v. Genetic recombination

• A. Only i, ii, iii and v
• B. Only ii, iii, and iv
• C. Only iii, iv and v
• D. Only i, ii, iii and iv

Answer 1

The correct option is A Only i, ii, iii and v

The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allelic and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of other evolutionary influences. There are five factors which are known to affect the equilibrium. These are gene flow, genetic drift, mutation, genetic recombination and natural selection. In population genetics, gene flow (also known as gene migration) is the transfer of alleles or genes from one population to another. Migration into or out of a population may be responsible for a marked change in allele frequencies (the proportion of members carrying a particular variant of a gene). Genetic drift (also known as allelic drift) is the change in the frequency of a gene variant (allele) in a population due to chance events. Genetic recombination is the production of offspring with combinations of traits that differ from those found in either parent. Mutation causes variations in the species, which influences the gene pool. Natural selection favours certain variations over others, resulting in an increase in allelic frequency of the favourable variations in the gene pool. Reproduction is a natural process in all organisms, which as such, does not affect Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; it would be the genetic recombinations that arise from sexual reproduction, that affect it.