Question

If the only force acting on a population is mutation, the forward and reverse mutation rates will determine the

a)Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations.
b)inbreeding coefficient .
c)selection coefficients for each genotype.
d)eventual equilibrium allele frequencies.
e)rate at which one allele becomes fixed.

Answer 1

Option (a), Mutation rates solely determine the eventual equilibrium allele frequencies in a population, reaching a new equilibrium if no other evolutionary forces oppose the mutation process.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the only force acting on a population is mutation, the forward and reverse mutation rates will determine the eventual equilibrium allele frequencies. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium states that, in the absence of evolutionary forces like mutation, selection, migration, and genetic drift, the allele frequencies in a population will remain constant. However, when mutation occurs, it introduces new alleles at a low rate and changes the frequency of existing alleles.

This rate will slowly increase if there are no other opposing forces. If such mutation continues without selection against the new alleles, the allele frequencies will reach a new equilibrium reflecting the balance between the forward and reverse mutation rates.