Question

For biologists studying a large flatworm population in the lab, which Hardy-Weinberg condition is most difficult to meet?
1) No selection
2) No mutation
3) No gene flow
4) Random mating

Please explain the reason.

Answer 1

Answer 2: No mutation

One of the five criteria that must be fulfilled for a population to remain at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is “no change in allelic frequency due to mutation”. However, in flatworm’s higher mutation rate is found due to reactive chemical environment that causes mutation in addition to lack of proofreading activity. Hence, for biologists studying a large flatworm population in the lab, no mutation effect is difficult to meet according to Hardy-Weinberg law.