Question

Which of the following is a PREDICTION of the Hardy-Weinberg Principle, assuming a very large population with random mating after one generation and no evolutionary processes affecting a given gene?

A. The allele frequencies of this gene will remain more or less the same.
B. The frequency of the homozygotes in the population will be \(p^2 + q^2\).
C. The genotype frequencies will not change.
D. All of these statements are valid predictions of the Hardy-Weinberg principle.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. All of these statements are valid predictions of the Hardy-Weinberg principle, which states allele and genotype frequencies remain constant from one generation to the next in the absence of evolutionary influences.

Step-by-step explanation:

The prediction of the Hardy-Weinberg Principle, given a very large population with random mating and no evolutionary processes affecting a gene is:

D. All of these statements are valid predictions of the Hardy-Weinberg principle.

The principle predicts:

• The allele frequencies will remain constant, which is stated by A.
• The genotype frequencies will be represented by the equation p² + 2pq + q², where B is incorrect because it excludes 2pq, the frequency of the heterozygotes.
• The genotype frequencies will not change, as mentioned in C.

Therefore, the correct response is that all these statements are consistent with the expectations of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This equilibrium is applicable only under the condition that the population is not experiencing evolutionary changes due to factors such as genetic drift, selection, mutation, or migration.