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What happens when the assumption of random mating within HWE is broken?

User Djkato
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Final answer:

Nonrandom mating can disrupt the assumption of random mating within the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE), causing a shift in genotype frequencies in a population without changing allele frequencies.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the assumption of random mating within the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) is broken, it can lead to deviations from the expected allele and genotype frequencies. Nonrandom mating occurs when individuals preferentially choose mates with specific phenotypes, such as selecting individuals with similar physical characteristics or mating patterns. This can lead to a shift in genotype frequencies in the population without changing the allele frequencies. Nonrandom mating is one of the factors that can disrupt HWE and contribute to evolution.

User Southsouth
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