The law stating that “the relative frequency of each gene allele tend to remain constant from generation to generation” is known as ?
**Core Concept:** Hardy-Weinberg Law (HWL) is a mathematical principle that describes the expected frequencies of alleles in a population when mating is random and there is no selection pressure. It helps predict the allele frequencies in a population and ensures genetic stability over generations.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer, **B. Hardy-Weinberg Law**, is derived from the mathematical expressions based on the principles of genetics. In the absence of genetic drift, mutation, migration, or natural selection, the law states that the allele frequencies remain constant from one generation to the next. This is based on the following formulas:
1. ( p^2 ) represents the frequency of the dominant allele (gene) ( p ), ( q^2 ) represents the frequency of the recessive allele (gene) ( q ), ( 2pq ) represents the frequency of individuals with both alleles, and ( 1 - p ) and ( 1 - q ) represent the frequency of individuals without any of those alleles.
2. ( p^2 ), ( q^2 ), and ( 2pq ) remain constant over generations.
3. ( 1 - p ) and ( 1 - q ) decrease over generations due to genetic drift, migration, or selection.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. **Hardy-Weinberg Law (HWL)** is not an option as the correct answer is B.
C. **Hardy-Weinberg's Second Law** is incorrect as there is only one law described above, not two.
D. **Hardy-Weinberg's Third Law** is not relevant because there is no third law mentioned in the question.
**Clinical Pearl:**
Understanding the Hardy-Weinberg Law is crucial for genetic counseling and predicting allele frequencies in epidemiological studies. It helps explain genetic disorders, population genetics, and evolutionary processes. The law provides a foundation for genetic counseling in family planning and assists in understanding the inheritance patterns of various genetic disorders and diseases.