Which factor is not responsible for the disturbance in Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium?

Options

A. Gene migration
B. Genetic drift
C. Random mating
D. Mutation

Answer

To determine which factor is not responsible for the disturbance in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, we need to understand what the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is and the factors that can disrupt it.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium**:
- The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes a state in a population where allele frequencies remain constant from one generation to the next in the absence of evolutionary influences. This means that the genetic variation in a population remains stable.

2. **Identifying Factors that Disturb the Equilibrium**:
- There are several factors that can disturb the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium:
- **Gene Migration (Gene Flow)**: This involves the movement of alleles between populations, which can change allele frequencies.
- **Genetic Drift**: This refers to random fluctuations in allele frequencies due to chance events, especially in small populations.
- **Mutation**: This is a change in the DNA sequence that can introduce new alleles into a population, affecting allele frequencies.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Gene Migration**: Responsible for disturbance as it introduces new genetic material.
- **Genetic Drift**: Responsible for disturbance due to random fluctuations in allele frequencies.
- **Random Mating**: This refers to mating that occurs without regard to the genetic or physical differences between individuals. In a population at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, random mating is a condition that helps maintain the equilibrium.
- **Mutation**: Responsible for disturbance as it introduces new genetic variations.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The factor that is **not** responsible for the disturbance in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is **random mating**. Random mating is a condition that supports the maintenance of the equilibrium.

### Final Answer:
**Random mating is not responsible for the disturbance in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.**