Introduction to Population and Evolutionary
Genetics
Evolutionary Genetics
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The Hardy-Weinberg Law described a population that exists in genetic equilibrium
where allelic frequencies do not change from generation to generation.
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For evolution of a population to occur, the gene frequencies of that population
must undergo change
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Several factors can act to change fitness or the ability to maintain allelic
frequencies.
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Viability - ability to survive
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Fertility - ability to reproduce
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By altering the fitness of an individual, the mating distribution will change,
and consequently the allelic frequencies will change and the population will evolve.