Microevolution

Changes in the allele

frequencies in a population
over a number of
generations
How can you mathematically test
whether a population is evolving?

 If a population’s allele frequency in its

gene pool is not changing, the
population is said to be in genetic
equilibrium.
 This principle is known as Hardy-
Weinberg equilibrium and for it to exist,
five conditions must be met.
The five main conditions of
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium:
 1) very large population
 2) no gene flow
 3) no mutations
 4) random mating
 5) no natural selection
 Note: These five conditions are rarely met, but
the HW equation can be used to estimate the
number of people carrying certain alleles, such
as for genetic diseases.
The equation…
 p+q=1
 Where p is the frequency of the dominant allele
 q is the frequency of the recessive allele
 Organisms carry two alleles for each trait, so
 (p + q)2 = 1
 Expanded:
 p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1
The equation (continued)
 p2 = the % homozygous dominant
 q2 = the % homozygous recessive
 2pq = the % heterozygous
 If the frequency of the recessive allele
for a trait is .3, what percentage of the
population is heterozygous for the trait?
Mechanisms of Microevolution
 Natural selection
 Gene flow: gain or lose alleles in a population
 Genetic drift: change in the gene pool by
chance
• Ex. Bottleneck
• Ex. Founder effect

Mutations are inevitable as well.

Types of Natural Selection
 Stabilizing: the ‘average’ is selected for;
the two extremes are selected against
Types of Natural Selection
(continued)

 Directional: one extreme is selected

for; the other extreme and the average
are selected against
Types of Natural Selection
(continued)
 Disruptive: the two extremes are
selected for; the average is selected
against
A special case of natural
selection:
 Sexual selection: individuals with
certain characteristics are more likely
than other individuals to mate; can lead
to sexual dimorphism--distinct
differences in the appearance of males
and females (Ex. a male lion’s mane;
male birds are brightly colored)
Sexual dimorphism
 In mammals; fish