Evolution Questions- Please answer thoroughly and accurately! 1. Assume that in

Question

Evolution Questions- Please answer thoroughly and accurately!

1. Assume that in a one locus, two-allele system, the frequency of the A allele is p and the population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Now, assume we catch a single random female, randomly collect two eggs from her, and determine the genotype of each of these eggs. What is the probability that we will get two eggs carrying the A allele? Express the answer in terms of p.

2. Discuss the influence of smaller vs. larger population sizes on the rate of phenotypic evolution under directional selection, all else being equal.

Explanation / Answer

1.In the given data, the population is at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. A population, which is at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium will not have changes in the variations from one generation to the next generation, as it is not experiencing any disturbing factors.

So, if a random single female is caught and two eggs are collected from her also, the frequency of allele 'A' will be 'p' only as the population is at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and there must not be changes in the variations from one generation to the next generation.

2.Phenotypic evolution can also be considered as genetic drift. genetic drift is one of the mechanisms of evolution, in which there is a change in the frequency of alleles or there is a change in the phenotype due to sampling error. Genetic drift occurs only in the small sized populations, means if the size of the population is small enough then the rate of phenotypic evolution is more.

If the size of the population is big or large enough, then there is less chances for sampling error and there is less change in the frequency of alleles. Thus, in large sized populations the rate of phenotypic evolution is less.

Directional selection operates more in small populations than in larger populations leading to the more phenotypic evolution.

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