Processes Causing Deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

1. Mutation




Population Genetics -- Evolution homepage -- BIO 311D homepage

Mutation: Random change in the genetic code.


Fact: mutation rates for many genes vary between one out of ten to one hundred thousand.

Fact: mutation is the ultimate source of genetic variation in populations.



Mutation rates for various dominant alleles in humans.



Note that organisms listed above Neurospora crassa are all prokaryotes.


Fact: the majority of mutations are detrimental in a given environment.







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