Final answer:
The formula for evolution involves multiple factors such as mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection. The Hardy-Weinberg principle provides a mathematical baseline for comparing expected and observed frequencies of alleles and genotypes in a population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mechanism of evolution isn't encapsulated in a solitary equation; instead, it comprises various factors shaping alterations in allele frequencies within a population over time.
Key contributors to this process encompass mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural selection.
The Hardy-Weinberg principle serves as a foundational tool, offering a mathematical baseline for comparing anticipated and observed allele and genotype frequencies in a population.
By assessing these values, scientists can deduce the influence of evolutionary forces.
Deviations between observed and expected frequencies indicate ongoing evolution within the population.
This principle thus functions as a critical metric, enabling researchers to discern if factors such as mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, or natural selection are at play, illuminating the dynamic interplay of forces that drive evolutionary changes in populations.