Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium
- Pronunciation
- /ˈhär-dē-ˈvaɪn-bɜrg ˌe-kwə-ˈlɪ-brē-əm/
- Category
- Genetics
Definition
An equilibrium of genotypes achieved in populations of infinite size in which there is no migration, selection, or mutation after at least one generation of random mating. With two alleles, A and a, of frequency p and q, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium frequencies of the genotypes AA, Aa, and aa are p², 2pq, and q², respectively.
Etymology
Named after G. H. Hardy and Wilhelm Weinberg, who independently described the principle in 1908.
Example
If a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of recessive homozygotes can be predicted from the frequency of the recessive allele.