Skip to content

#assumptions

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium assumes all EXCEPT

Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes an ideal, non-evolving diploid sexual population where allele and genotype frequencies remain constant across generations. Classical assumptions include infinitely large population size to eliminate drift, random mating ensuring random gamete union, absence of new mutations, absence of migration causing gene flow, and absence of natural selection so all genotypes have equal fitness. Directional selection systematically favors one allele over another, steadily shifting p and q. Because it changes allele frequencies, it violates equilibrium and therefore repr

Ref: Hartl & Clark, Principles of Population Genetics, 4th ed., Chapter 2: Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Assumptions

Gene interaction generally assumes

Classical analysis of gene interaction assumes loci unlinked, assorting independently, exhibiting complete dominance individually, so 9:3:3:1 serves as theoretical reference expectation for two genes. Deviations then attributed to inter-locus epistasis rather than linkage distorting gamete frequencies. Linkage would confound interpretation by producing parental excess and altering 1:1:1:1 gamete ratio, mimicking interaction. Assuming independence isolates masking effects, permitting classification into dominant 12:3:1, recessive 9:3:4, duplicate dominant 15:1, complementary 9:7, suppression 13

Ref: Griffiths et al., Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 12th ed., Chapter 6: Assumptions for Interpreting Gene Interaction