Hardy Weinberg Principle and Genetic Variation

These flashcards cover key terminologies and concepts related to the Hardy Weinberg principle and genetic variation, which are crucial for understanding population genetics.

Hardy Weinberg Principle

A fundamental principle that states the genotype frequencies within a population will remain constant from generation to generation unless acted upon by external forces.

Allele Frequency

The relative frequency of an allele at a genetic locus; expressed as a proportion of all alleles for that gene in the population.

Genotype Frequency

The proportion of a specific genotype among the total number of individuals in the population.

p

The frequency of the dominant allele in a population.

q

The frequency of the recessive allele in a population.

p^2

The frequency of the homozygous dominant genotype in a population.

q^2

The frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype in a population.

2pq

The frequency of the heterozygous genotype in a population.

Adaptive Evolution

A process where populations adapt to their environments through genetic changes over time, often involving mutations that confer a survival advantage.

Pesticide Resistance

An example of adaptive evolution, where certain individuals in a population evolve the ability to resist chemicals designed to kill them.

Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which can lead to diversity in traits and adaptation to changing environments.