Population Genetics

Question 1

What is the Hardy-Weinberg Law?

Answer 1

1. The Hardy-Weinberg Law explains that the allele frequencies do not change from generation
   to generation in a large population with random mating.
2. The Hardy-Weinberg Law explains that the genotype frequency is determined by the relative allele frequencies at that locus.
3. The Hardy-Weinberg Law relates the genotype frequency at a locus to the phenotype frequency in a population.

*Disrupted by non-random mating, mutation, selection, and migration

Question 2

What are the 5 conditions for the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium?

Answer 2

1. Very large population (no genetic drift)
2. No emigration or immigration (no gene flow)
3. No mutations (no new alleles added to the gene pool)
4. Random mating (no sexual selection)
5. No natural selection (all traits aid equally in survival)

Question 3

What is the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

Answer 3

1. p^2+2pq+q^2=1
2. Is used to predict genotype and allele frequencies in a population

ex: AA=p^2; Aa=2pq; and q^2=aa

Question 4

What is Genotype and Allele Frequency?

Answer 4

1. The Allele frequency in a population is (p+q=1); (could be p=q-1)
2. The Genotype frequency in a population is (p^2+2pq+q^2=1)

p=frequency of the dominant allele
q=frequency of the recessive allele
p^2=percentage of homozygous dominant (healthy)
p^2=percentage of homozygous recessive (having disease)
2pq=percentage of heterzygous individuals

Question 5

What are 5 factors responsible for genetic variations in a population?

Answer 5

1. Mutation
2. Natural selection
3. Genetic drift
4. Gene flow
5. Consanguinity

Question 6

What is the Founder effect?

Answer 6

1. A new mutation can be introduced into population when someone carrying the mutation is one of the early founder of the community

Question 7

What is Natural Selection?

Answer 7

1. Acts upon genetic variations

2. The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring

Question 8

What is Genetic drift?

Answer 8

1. Changes in gene frequencies often occur when new settlements are formed
2. Make certain genetic diseases more common in small, isolated populations

Question 9

What is Gene flow?

Answer 9

1. More gradual change in gene frequency in larger population resulting from gene flow
2. Refers to the exchange of genes among population

Question 10

What is Consanguinity?

Answer 10

1. Refers to the mating of individuals who are related to one another (second cousins or closer)