Question

Imagine one bird population with only 2 alleles present for this specific gene.

At time 1, the allele frequency of R is 0.8 , and the allele frequency of r is 0.2 .
At time 2. the allele frequency of R is 0.3 , and the allele frequency of r is 0.7 . Regarding this specific gene, is this population evolving from time 1 to time 2 ?
(A) Yes
(B) No

Answer 1

Yes, the change in allele frequency from time 1 to time 2 indicates that the bird population is evolving, as evolution in population genetics is defined by such changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

(A) Yes, the bird population is evolving from time 1 to time 2, as indicated by the significant change in allele frequency. In the context of population genetics, evolution is defined as a change in the frequency of an allele in a population. The frequencies of alleles R and r at time 1 are 0.8 and 0.2, respectively. This shift in allele frequencies constitutes evolution. Such changes can result from various mechanisms including natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, gene flow, and non-random mating.

The example provided shows a change in allele frequency over time, which clearly indicates that the population is indeed evolving according to the principles of population genetics. Changes in allele frequencies are central to the process of evolution, signaling that the genetic makeup of the population is not stable but in flux, potentially influencing phenotypic traits and the adaptation of the population to its environment over time.