Question

By considering the genotypes in a single generation (NOT changes in frequencies over time or changes from one generation to the next), how would you show that natural selection is occurring in the Near-Lethal Homozygote (near-lethal recessive) simulation (Hint: think about Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium).

Answer 1

The given conditions of generation is according to the hardy Weinberg equilibrium, where variation is not in large proportion, mutation, genetic drift and natural selection is not directly responsible for evolution. But natural selection and Hardy Weinberg equilibrium plays important role of minimizing the impact of lethal gene on large number of people. In this condition lethal recessive gene will be present only in heterozygous as recessive organisms will not survive. Also lethal gene will be present in F2 generation in very small number which prevent large loss of population of given generation. So the other organisms which are dominant homozygous will be andnormal most of heterozygous will be normal or carrier. The future generations will also have less number of carrier organisms.