Population Geneticists Use the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Equation to Determine

Question

Population geneticists use the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation to determine
A) whether evolution is occurring at all loci throughout the genome simultaneously
B) whether allele frequencies in a population are changing
C) the mode of inheritance of Mendelian traits
D) whether a particular trait is polygenic
E) if human populations are operating on evolutionary forces

Accepted Answer

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation is used to determine whether allele frequencies in a population are changing, which can indicate whether evolution is occurring. If the observed allele frequencies in a population differ from the expected frequencies calculated using the equation, then there is likely some form of evolutionary force at play (such as selection, mutation, migration, or genetic drift) that is causing a change in the population's gene pool. Therefore, population geneticists use the Hardy-Weinberg equation as a null model to test for deviations from equilibrium and to infer the type and magnitude of evolutionary forces that are acting on the population. Choices A, C, D, and E do not accurately describe the primary purpose of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation.