What are the assumptions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Options

A. Mating accurs preferentially
B. The size of the population is large
C. There is no migration
D. There is no mutation

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is a principle in population genetics that describes the genetic variation in a population under certain ideal conditions. For a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, several assumptions must be met:

1. **Random Mating**: The first assumption is that mating occurs randomly within the population. This means that individuals pair by chance, not according to their genotypes or phenotypes. There should be no preference for certain traits, ensuring that all individuals have an equal opportunity to mate.

2. **Large Population Size**: The second assumption is that the population size must be large. A large population minimizes the effects of genetic drift, which can cause random changes in allele frequencies. In smaller populations, random events can have a more significant impact on the genetic makeup.

3. **No Natural Selection**: The third assumption is that there is no natural selection occurring. This means that all individuals have an equal chance of survival and reproduction, regardless of their genetic traits. No particular genotype should have a selective advantage over others.

4. **No Migration (Gene Flow)**: The fourth assumption is that there is no migration into or out of the population. Migration can introduce new alleles into the population or remove alleles, thus altering allele frequencies and disrupting equilibrium.

5. **No Mutation**: The fifth assumption is that there are no mutations occurring. Mutations can create new alleles, which can change the genetic structure of the population over time. For the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium to hold, the genetic composition must remain constant.

### Summary of Assumptions:
- Random mating occurs.
- The population size is large.
- There is no natural selection.
- There is no migration (gene flow).
- There are no mutations.