Science
Hardy-weinberg.
Definition
The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences. It serves as a null hypothesis for detecting whether evolution is occurring in a population.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 If 16% of a population shows a recessive phenotype, q² = 0.16, so q = 0.4 and p = 0.6
- 2 Researchers compare observed genotype frequencies to Hardy-Weinberg expectations to detect natural selection in wild populations
- 3 A population of beetles on an isolated island can be tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium to see if selection is acting on shell color
Key Fact
p² + 2pq + q² = 1 and p + q = 1; requires no mutation, no selection, random mating, large population, and no gene flow.