If a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which of the following statements is correct?

A. Each allele will be present at a 50% frequency.
B. Allele frequencies can vary from generation to generation, but the average frequency must remain constant.
C. The size of the population must remain constant from generation to generation.
D. Allele frequencies must remain the same from generation to generation.
E. The rate of change of allele frequencies must be greater than 1 percent from generation to generation.

In a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, allele frequencies remain stable from generation to generation, assuming no evolutionary pressures such as natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, or migration. This stability enables scientists to examine deviations from the equilibrium to understand evolutionary processes.The correct answer is option d.

Explanation:

If a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the correct statement is that allele frequencies must remain the same from generation to generation. This principle represents an ideal condition under which evolution does not occur, meaning that the genetic structure of the population is stable over time. A population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium assumes no natural selection, no mutation, no genetic drift, and no gene flow or migration. Additionally, random mating is assumed.

To maintain Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the specific allele frequencies in the population do not alter as generations pass, as long as the equilibrium conditions are met. This stability is critical for scientists to make inferences about the evolutionary forces at play when they observe deviations from the expected allelic frequencies in natural populations. If observed allelic frequencies differ from those predicted by the Hardy-Weinberg equation, it suggests that one or more of the equilibrium conditions have been violated, indicating that evolutionary changes are occurring.