Question

Population of gray and white squirrels in Olney, Illinois, from 1977-1990

				Hardy-Weinberg law % of population
Year	Gray phenotype	White phenotype	Total	GG p2	Gg 2pq	gg q2
1977	602	182	784	27	50	23
1978	511	172	683	25	50	25
1979	482	134	616	28	50	22
1980	489	133	622	29	50	21
1981	536	163	699	27	50	23
1982	618	151	769	30	50	20
1983	419	141	560	25	50	25
1984	378	106	484	28	50	22
1985	448	125	573	28	50	22
1986	536	155	691	28	50	22
1987	No data collected
1988	652	122	774	36	48	16
1989	552	146	698	29	50	21
1990	603	111	714	37	48	15

From the above data

1. The frequency of homozygotes and heterozygotes stays constant for generations, if

            • the population is very large,

• the individuals can pair without limitations (if they inhabit the same place at the

   same time),

            • there is no selection of certain alleles,

            • no gene migration occurs, and

            • no mutations take place.

    F Are these conditions met for the white squirrels in Olney, Illinois? Explain your answer.

2. Is evolution taking place in this squirrel population? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The answers of question 1 and 2 is given below: