Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: Mutations

Question 1

what are the mechanisms of evolution that does not require selection

Answer 1

1. Mutation
2. Gene flow
3. Gene drift
4. Random mating

Question 1

evolution without selection - mutation

Answer 1

• mutation on its own is not an evolutionary mechanism
• usually functions with selection

Question 2

what is an example of an experiment that shows mutation and selection

Answer 2

• researchers took inbred lines of fruits flies that was essentially clones
• No variation (got rid of V in VIST)
• Reared half on salt-spiked diet and one on non-spiked for 30 generations

Question 3

mutation and selection fruit fly experiment - results

Answer 3

• Some could survive on salt and ones that were exposed to salt lived better
• evidence of evolution even with no variation

Question 4

mutation and selection fruit fly experiment - what does this show us

Answer 4

• only explanation is novel mutations allowed them to evolve
• Mutation produced variation that got selected for
• add natural selection and many more can survive the salt diet

Question 5

when is the frequency of a deleterious allele is at equilibrium

Answer 5

When the rate at which copies of a deleterious allele are being eliminated by selection is exactly equal to the rate at which new copies are being created by mutation

Question 6

what is the equation used to explain the frequency of a recessive allele in equilibrium

Answer 6

• mutation-selection balance equation
• q = √(µ/s)

Question 7

what is mutation-selection balance

Answer 7

the frequency of a deleterious allele can remain at equilibrium if the opposing mechanisms of selection and mutation are equal

Question 8

mutation-selection balance - what is it often used to explain

Answer 8

to explain relatively high frequencies of strongly deleterious, recessive alleles

Question 9

what are two possible explanations for the frequency of a deleterious recessive allele

Answer 9

1. they are continuously created
2. Heterozygote advantage