To increase genetic diversity in the bighorn sheep population described in Problem 23, ten sheep are introduced from a population where the c allele is absent. Assuming that random mating occurs between the original and the introduced sheep, and that the c allele is selectively neutral, what will be the frequency of c in the next generation?

Key Concepts

Allele Frequency

Allele frequency refers to how often a particular allele appears in a population relative to other alleles for the same gene. It is calculated by dividing the number of copies of the allele by the total number of alleles for that gene in the population. Understanding allele frequency is crucial for predicting how genetic traits will be passed on to future generations.

Genetic Drift

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population, particularly in small populations. It can lead to the loss of genetic variation and can significantly impact allele frequencies over generations, especially when new individuals are introduced, as in the case of the bighorn sheep.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is a principle that describes the genetic variation in a population that is not evolving. It provides a mathematical model to predict allele frequencies based on five conditions: no mutation, random mating, no gene flow, infinite population size, and no selection. This concept is essential for understanding how allele frequencies change when these conditions are not met, such as when new individuals are introduced.