AP BIOLOGY

EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION OF A POPULATION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
If a population is not evolving, it is in genetic equilibrium.
A
True
B
False
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -When a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a gene, it is not evolving, and allele frequencies will stay the same across generations. There are five basic Hardy-Weinberg assumptions: no mutation, random mating, no gene flow, infinite population size, and no selection.

Detailed explanation-2: -Genetic equilibrium occurs when there is no evolution within the population. In other words, the frequency of alleles (variants of a gene) will be the same from one generation to another. At genetic equilibrium, the gene or allele frequencies are stable-they do not change.

Detailed explanation-3: -Genetic equilibrium is the condition of an allele or genotype in a gene pool (such as a population) where the frequency does not change from generation to generation. Genetic equilibrium describes a theoretical state that is the basis for determining whether and in what ways populations may deviate from it.

Detailed explanation-4: -Selection, mutation, migration, and genetic drift are the mechanisms that effect changes in allele frequencies, and when one or more of these forces are acting, the population violates Hardy-Weinberg assumptions, and evolution occurs.

Detailed explanation-5: -Without genetic variation, a population cannot evolve in response to changing environmental variables and, as a result, may face an increased risk of extinction. For example, if a population is exposed to a new disease, selection will act on genes for resistance to the disease if they exist in the population.

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