QQuestionBiology
QuestionBiology
"If there is no selective advantage for one nose color over another in wolves, which of the following statements is most likely true about the change in wolf nose colors over many generations?
A. The frequency of black noses will increase significantly.
B. The frequency of brown noses will decrease significantly.
C. The frequencies of both black and brown noses will remain relatively stable.
D. The frequency of brown noses will increase significantly."
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Answer
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Step 1:: Understand the problem and its context
The problem discusses a scenario in which there is no selective advantage for one nose color over another in wolves. This implies that both black and brown noses have equal chances of being passed on to the next generation.
Step 2:: Apply the Hardy-Weinberg principle
We can use the Hardy-Weinberg principle to analyze this situation. The principle states that the frequencies of alleles (versions of a gene) in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of other evolutionary forces. Let p be the frequency of the black nose allele and q be the frequency of the brown nose allele. Since there are only two possible alleles, p + q = 1.
Step 3:: Calculate the expected frequencies of black and brown noses
p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1
According to the Hardy-Weinberg principle, the frequency of heterozygotes (individuals with both alleles) is equal to 2pq. The sum of the frequencies of homozygotes (individuals with two identical alleles) and heterozygotes gives the total frequency of black and brown noses. Therefore: Since there is no selective advantage for one nose color over another, the frequencies of black and brown noses will remain constant, meaning that p^2 and q^2 will also remain constant.
Step 4:: Analyze the impact on nose color frequencies
Given that p^2 and q^2 remain constant, the only way for the frequencies of black and brown noses to change is if p or q changes. However, since p + q = 1, if p increases, q must decrease, and vice versa. Since there is no selective advantage for one nose color over another, neither p nor q will change, and thus, the frequencies of black and brown noses will also remain constant.
Final Answer
The frequencies of both black and brown noses will remain relatively stable (option C).
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