Why is The Hardy Weinberg Equilibrum Important

The Hardy- Weinberg Equilibrium principle is very important to the scientific genetic society as;

• It is the foundation of which almost all the theory of population genetic of sexually- reproducing organisms is based

• It is a NULL MODEL

• Deviations give evidence of selection, Genetic drift, gene flow, mutation or non random mating in a population

 

ASSUMPTIONS AND VIOLATIONS OF THE HARDY WEINBERG EQUILIBRUM

 

• All individuals have equal probabilities of surviving and reproducing. Violated if NATURAL SELECTION (differential reproductive success) occurs

 

• The population is infinitely large. Violated by GENETIC DRIFT

 

 

• Genes are not added to or removed from the population by migration. Violated by GENE FLOW

 

 

• There is no MUTATION

 

 

• Mating is random. Violated e.g. by INBREEDING AND SEXUAL SELECTION

 

 

 

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