HWE: Mutation - 8

Question 1

How to calculate allele frequency of next generation that undergoes mutation (and no selection)

Answer 1

allele frequency x rate of mutation
ex. A =0.9
mutation rate = 1/10000 = 0.0001
0.9 x 0.0001 = 0.89991

Question 2

Mutation alone is a ____ mechanism of evolution because…

Answer 2

weak
because allele frequency evolves slowly and mutation doesn’t usually act on it’s own

Question 3

If most mutations are deleterious, why do they still remain present

Answer 3

because mutations are constantly evolving and the loss of deleterious alleles by selection equals the production of deleterious alleles that are resulting from mutation

Question 4

What is the equation for equilibrium between mutation rate and selection coefficient

Answer 4

q = SQRT (u/s)
q = equilibrium frequency
u = mutation rate
s = selection coefficient

Question 5

What could be the reason for the predicted and actual mutation rates being so different in CFTR proteins in cystic fibrosis

Answer 5

the frequency of the disease-causing alleles are so high because there could be another possible function (which is true because it has a protected benefit against typhoid fever) and heterozygotes have same selective advantage