Question

question 1
a scientist studying population genetics of a bird population inhabiting a group of islands finds that allelic diversity is
highest on island c, lowest on island a, and island b has intermediate allelic diversity levels. what is the likely order in
which these islands were colonized by this species?
a a then b then c
b a then c then b
c b then a then c
d c then a then b
e c then b then a
10 points
question 2
which of the following best describes hardy-weinberg equilibrium?
a hardy-weinberg equilibrium represents a population that is evolving.
b hardy-weinberg equilibrium represents a population that is not evolving.
c hardy-weinberg equilibrium represents a population whose numbers are increasing.
d hardy-weinberg equilibrium represents a population whose numbers are decreasing.
e hardy-weinberg equilibrium represents a population whose numbers are stable.

Explanation:

Question 1

When a population colonizes a new area, the founder effect (a type of genetic drift) occurs. The first - colonized population (e.g., island A) has the lowest allelic diversity because it is started by a small number of individuals (founders) which carry only a subset of the original gene pool. As time passes and more colonizations (e.g., from A to B, and then from B to C or other multi - step colonizations) occur, gene flow and new mutations can increase allelic diversity. So the order of colonization is from the lowest - diversity island (A) first, then an intermediate (B), and then the highest - diversity island (C).

The Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium is a principle in population genetics. It states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences such as mutation, natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, and non - random mating. In other words, a population in Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium is not evolving. Options C, D, and E are about population size changes (increasing, decreasing, stable) which are not the focus of Hardy - Weinberg (it is about genetic composition, not population size). Option A is incorrect because it says the population is evolving (opposite of Hardy - Weinberg principle).

Answer:

A. A then B then C

Question 2