4.5 Hardy Weinberg and reproductive isolation

The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele and genotype frequencies remain stable in a population over time, provided...

-Population is very large

-Mating is random

-No immigration or emigration

-No mutations

-Natural selection is not occuring

The Hardy-Weinberg equation allows us to...

Compare a population's allele and genotype frequencies over time to the expected frequencies if the population were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium

What does p stand for in HW equation?

dominant allele frequency

what does q squared stand for in HW equation?

homozygous recessive genotype frequency

What is the most common type of reproductive isolation?

geographical isolation

What geographical features may isolate populations?

mountain range, river, stretch of ocean

What is the formation of new species called?

speciation

What is it called when a habitat is split apart?

fragmentation

Explain how two populations, isolated by a mountain range and in different climates, may form into two different species.

-Reproductive isolation most likely due to mountain range

-Prevents a group of individuals from breeding with the rest of the population

-Over time the two groups become different due to selection pressures, and random mutations accumulate

-Eventually, the two groups can no longer breed to produce fertile offspring and they become separate species

State the Hardy-Weinberg equation

p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1

Describe how the Hardy-Weinberg equation can be used to provide evidence for changes in the elephant population in Mozambique (2)

-to calculate the allele frequencies in the population of Mozambique

-regular sampling over a period of time