Question

Which of the following are assumptions of the Hardy-Weinberg theorem?

1) Populations are finite and can experience changes in allele frequencies due to chance
2) All possible genotypes at a locus will be equally likely to survive and reproduce
3) Alleles will not enter or leave a population through migration
4) Mutation leading to new alleles will not occur

Answer 1

The assumptions of the Hardy-Weinberg theorem are that populations are infinite and do not experience changes in allele frequencies due to chance, all possible genotypes at a locus are equally likely to survive and reproduce, alleles do not enter or leave a population through migration, and mutation leading to new alleles does not occur.

Step-by-step explanation:

The assumptions of the Hardy-Weinberg theorem are as follows:

1. Populations are infinite and do not experience changes in allele frequencies due to chance.
2. All possible genotypes at a locus are equally likely to survive and reproduce.
3. Alleles do not enter or leave a population through migration.
4. Mutation leading to new alleles does not occur.

These assumptions are necessary for a population to remain in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, meaning that allele and genotype frequencies do not change over time.