​A scientist is using the Hardy-Weinberg equation to assess if a population is in equilibrium or is evolving. She recorded the following characteristics for this population:

A. The size of the population is very large.
B. Individuals are randomly mating.
C. Individuals are under natural selection.
D. New alleles are added to the population through migration and dispersal.
E. Mutation rates are high.

Which one of the following options contains all INCORRECT characteristics of a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Correct option is B

The correct answer is option (b), which includes C (natural selection), D (migration), and E (high mutation rates) — all of which are incorrect characteristics of a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) is a theoretical model that describes a non-evolving population. According to the Hardy-Weinberg principle, allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation only if certain conditions are met. Any violation of these conditions indicates that evolutionary forces are acting on the population.

The five essential conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are:

1. Very large population size (A) – to prevent genetic drift → Correct condition
2. Random mating (B) – ensures alleles combine in predictable proportions → Correct condition
3. No natural selection (C) – all individuals must have equal chances of survival and reproduction → Incorrect condition
4. No migration or gene flow (D) – no new alleles added or removed → Incorrect condition
5. No mutations (E) – no changes in the gene pool → Incorrect condition

Hence, C (natural selection), D (gene flow), and E (mutation) all violate the assumptions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and are incorrect characteristics if the goal is to maintain equilibrium.