Dictionary > Hardy-Weinberg principle

Hardy-Weinberg principle

Definition
noun
A principle stating that both allele and genotype frequencies in a randomly-mating population remain constant – and remain in this equilibrium across generations — unless a disturbing influence is introduced.
Supplement
For instance, a population containing the genotypes AA, aa and Aa, the frequency of AA will always be p2, aa will be q2, and Aa will be 2pq at equilibrium, where the p is the frequency of A and q is the frequency of a.
Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg principle indicates evolution of species. Examples of disturbing influences include non-random mating, mutations, selection, limited population size, random genetic drift and gene flow.
Word origin: named after G. H. Hardy and Wilhelm Weinberg.
Abbreviation: HWP

Variants:


You will also like...

complete-dominance
Dominance

This tutorial presents Gregor Mendel's law of dominance. Learn more about this form of inheritance and how it can be pre..

Lentic community
Freshwater Communities & Lentic Waters

Lentic or still water communities can vary greatly in appearance -- from a small temporary puddle to a large lake. The s..

Origins of Life on Earth
Origins of Life on Earth

Earth was created around 4.5 billion years ago and life began not long after. Primitive life likely possessed the elemen..

Salmon jumping upstream in the river
Lotic Communities & Animals

A running water environment offers numerous microhabitats for many types of animals. Similar to plants, animals in lotic..

Endemic Flora of New Zealand
New Zealand’s Unique Flora

If New Zealand has lots of unique animals, it's also got a whole lot of unique plants. Find out more about some of them,..

A sperm cell fertilizing an ovum
Human Reproduction and Fertilization

For human species to obviate extinction, reproductive mature adults should be producing viable offspring in order to con..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics