Introduction to Population Genetics and the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Vocabulary flashcards covering types of mutations, population genetics fundamentals, and the equations and assumptions of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium based on the lecture.

Suppressor Mutation

A mutation that fixes or reverses the phenotypic effects of a different, preexisting mutation.

Intragenic Suppressor

A suppressor mutation that occurs within the exact same gene where the original mutation took place.

Intergenic Suppressor

A suppressor mutation that occurs in a different gene to counteract the effects of a negative mutation.

Somatic Mutation

A mutation that occurs in body cells, which can cause conditions like cancer or benign traits like age spots, but is not passed on to offspring.

Soma

A biological term meaning "body," used to designate the body of a cell (such as a neuron) or the body of an organism.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species residing in the same geographic area capable of interbreeding and transmitting genes to future generations.

Population Genetics

The subfield of genetics focused on allele variation across a population and how allele frequencies change and evolve across generations.

Polymorphism

The presence of two or more distinct alleles or phenotypic variations within a population, often having little impact on survival.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

The stable genotype and allele frequency distribution expected in a population when conditions of randomness and lack of evolutionary forces are satisfied.

Hardy-Weinberg Allele Equation

The mathematical relationship $p + q = 1$, where $p$ and $q$ denote the frequencies of two alternative alleles at a locus.

Hardy-Weinberg Genotype Equation

The mathematical relationship $p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1$, where $p^2$ and $q^2$ represent homozygous genotype frequencies and $2pq$ represents the heterozygous genotype frequency.

Genetic Drift

Random fluctuations in allele frequencies from generation to generation due to chance events, exerting its strongest effects in small populations.

Random Mating

A condition required for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium wherein individuals pair and reproduce purely by chance without genotype-based preference.

Natural Selection (in Population Genetics)

The differential survival or reproductive success of specific genotypes that disrupts Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and drives evolutionary shifts in allele frequencies.