Question

Which of the following is incorrect about the population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

• A. There is no migration of individuals either into or out of the population.
• B. The population is not influenced by selective pressures.
• C. Mating occurs randomly within the population.
• D. There is no change in the rate of mutation.
• E. The population is relatively small.

Answer 1

The correct option is E The population is relatively small.

The Hardy-Weinberg model describes and predicts genotype and allele frequencies in a non-evolving population. The model has five basic assumptions: 1) the population is large (i.e., there is no genetic drift); 2) there is no gene flow between populations, from migration or transfer of gametes; 3) mutations are negligible; 4) individuals are mating randomly; and 5) natural selection is not operating on the population. Given these assumptions, a population's genotype and allele frequencies will remain unchanged over successive generations, and the population is said to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.