Answer :
Final answer:
The statement refers to the Hardy-Weinberg principle of equilibrium, which states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population are inherently stable from generation to generation unless evolutionary forces act upon them. This principle gives scientists a baseline against which to compare and analyze real population changes. However, in reality, it's rare that a population perfectly meets the conditions of this equilibrium, due to the constant influences of evolutionary forces.
Explanation:
When the statement 'the frequency of alleles in a population will not change from generation to generation (if certain assumptions are met)' is made, it's referring to the Hardy-Weinberg principle of equilibrium. This principle, proposed by English mathematician Godfrey Hardy and German physician Wilhelm Weinberg, postulates that a population's alleles and genotype frequencies are inherently stable - they won't change from generation to generation, unless influenced by evolutionary forces like genetic drift, mutation, migration, and selection. This equilibrium assumes that there are no mutations, migration, emigration, or selective pressure for or against genotype, and that the population is infinite in size.
This principle gives scientists an important baseline to compare against when analyzing real population changes, inferring what evolutionary forces might be at play. For instance, if the frequencies of alleles or genotypes in a population deviate from the values expected from the Hardy-Weinberg equation, this signifies that the population is evolving. In practice, it's rare that a population perfectly satisfies the conditions of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, since natural populations are constantly subject to evolutionary influences.
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