Questions: In a population where allele frequencies were initially measured as 50% A and 50% a, subsequent measurements taken many generations later reveal the same frequencies of 50% A and 50% a. What is the most likely explanation for this outcome? - Genetic drift caused a change in allele frequencies. - The population is in a state of genetic equilibrium. - Selective pressures led to a shift in allele frequencies. - Mutations introduced new alleles into the population. - None of these is correct.

In a population where allele frequencies were initially measured as 50% A and 50% a, subsequent measurements taken many generations later reveal the same frequencies of 50% A and 50% a. What is the most likely explanation for this outcome? - Genetic drift caused a change in allele frequencies. - The population is in a state of genetic equilibrium. - Selective pressures led to a shift in allele frequencies. - Mutations introduced new alleles into the population. - None of these is correct.
Transcript text: In a population where allele frequencies were initially measured as 50\% A and $50 \%$ a, subsequent measurements taken many generations later reveal the same frequencies of $50 \% \mathrm{~A}$ and $50 \%$ a. What is the most likely explanation for this outcome? Genetic drift caused a change in allele frequencies. The population is in a state of genetic equilibrium. Selective pressures led to a shift in allele frequencies. Mutations introduced new alleles into the population. none of these is correct.
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Solution

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The answer is the second one (B): The population is in a state of genetic equilibrium.

Explanation for each option:

  1. Genetic drift caused a change in allele frequencies:

    • Genetic drift refers to random changes in allele frequencies in a population, especially in small populations. If genetic drift had occurred, we would expect to see a change in allele frequencies over many generations. Since the allele frequencies remained the same, this option is incorrect.

  2. The population is in a state of genetic equilibrium:

    • Genetic equilibrium, as described by the Hardy-Weinberg principle, occurs when allele frequencies in a population remain constant over generations in the absence of evolutionary influences. The fact that the allele frequencies are still 50% A and 50% a many generations later suggests that the population is in genetic equilibrium. This is the most likely explanation.

  3. Selective pressures led to a shift in allele frequencies:

    • Selective pressures typically cause changes in allele frequencies by favoring certain alleles over others. If selective pressures were at play, we would expect to see a shift in allele frequencies. Since the frequencies remained unchanged, this option is incorrect.

  4. Mutations introduced new alleles into the population:

    • While mutations can introduce new alleles, they would likely alter the existing allele frequencies over many generations. The unchanged frequencies suggest that mutations did not have a significant impact on the allele frequencies in this case. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

  5. None of these is correct:

    • Since option B (genetic equilibrium) provides a plausible and well-supported explanation for the observed outcome, this option is incorrect.

Summary: The most likely explanation for the unchanged allele frequencies of 50% A and 50% a over many generations is that the population is in a state of genetic equilibrium.

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