Question

Two alleles are present at one locus in a population. What does it mean to say that the allele frequencies are in equilibrium? (1) If there is an equilibrium, how would you determine whether the equilibrium is stable, unstable, or neutral? Be specific about the kind of data would you need to collect about the population to establish that. (2) Describe one population genetic scenario that is expected to cause a population to reach a stable equilibrium in allele frequencies such that two alleles are present at one locus in the population. (1) Give an example of that scenario, and explain which population genetic mechanisms are operating and how they lead to a stable equilibrium. (1)