Question

Mutations can't happen after HW equilibrium because:

A) Mutation rates decrease.
B) Genetic drift stops.
C) There is no selection pressure.
D) Allele frequencies are fixed.

Answer 1

The statement that mutations can't happen after Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is incorrect, as mutations are one of the factors that can disturb the equilibrium, contrary to the assumption of the equilibrium conditions (A).

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that mutations can't happen after a population reaches Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is incorrect. Mutation is one of the factors that can disturb this equilibrium. The principle holds that allele frequencies in a population remain constant IF the five conditions are met: no mutation, no migration, a very large population size, random mating, and no natural selection. In reality, mutations can and do happen in populations at equilibrium, but the principle assumes a scenario where mutations are not occurring to simplify the model of genetic equilibrium.

Since mutation rates do not necessarily decrease, genetic drift does not stop entirely, selection pressure can be present in various forms, and allele frequencies aren't truly fixed as evolution is an ongoing process, the correct answer is not provided in the available choices.