Question

question 5 of 10
what is one reason a populations phenotype frequencies might remain stable
over time?
a. many changes occur in the environment.
b. the population has a large amount of genetic variation.
c. there are very few alleles for many of the genes in the gene pool.
d. new biotic factors are introduced regularly.
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Explanation:

According to the Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium, one of the conditions for a population's phenotype frequencies to remain stable is a lack of genetic variation. When there are very few alleles for many genes in the gene pool (low genetic variation), it is less likely for natural selection, genetic drift, etc., to cause significant changes in phenotype frequencies over time. Option A (many environmental changes) would likely cause selection pressures and change phenotype frequencies. Option B (a large amount of genetic variation) provides more opportunity for evolution and change in phenotype frequencies. Option D (new biotic factors introduced regularly) would also likely cause changes in the population's phenotype frequencies.

Answer:

C. There are very few alleles for many of the genes in the gene pool.