Chapter 23, Problem 1TYK

PROCESS OF SCIENCE In what sense is the Hardy–Weinberg principle a null hypothesis?

Summary Introduction

To review:

The reason for Hardy-Weinberg principle to be regarded as a null hypothesis.

Introduction:

The Hardy-Weinberg principle is the equilibrium, which states that in a population there are no genetic variations. It means the genetic variation remains constant in a population from one generation to the next generation.

Explanation of Solution

The Hardy-Weinberg principle has five assumptions, namely; random mating, no natural selection, no genetic drift, no mutation, and no gene flow. These assumptions are possible factors in the process of evolution. These factors often contribute to the generation of allele frequencies in a population.

The null hypothesis favors no variation, association, and the relation between the entities taken into account. The Hardy-Weinberg principle is useful for calculating the expected genotype and phenotype frequencies, if no evolutionary process and random mating are occurring. Thus, it is a null hypothesis.

Conclusion

The null hypothesis states that there is no relation and association between the two variables. Hardy-Weinberg principle is a null hypothesis as it follows that no mutation, no gene flow, random mating, and no natural selection is occurring.