A Large Population of Laboratory Animals Has Been Allowed to Breed

question 59

Multiple Choice

A large population of laboratory animals has been allowed to breed randomly for a number of generations. After several generations, 25% of the animals display a recessive trait (aa) , the same percentage as at the beginning of the breeding program. The rest of the animals show the dominant phenotype, with heterozygotes indistinguishable from the homozygous dominants.
What is the most reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from the fact that the frequency of the recessive trait (aa) has not changed over time?

• A) The two phenotypes are about equally adaptive under laboratory conditions.
• B) The genotype AA is lethal.
• C) There has been a high rate of mutation of allele A to allele a.
• D) There has been sexual selection favouring allele a.

---

Definitions:

Attitudes

Psychological tendencies expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor.

Negative Correlation

A relationship between two variables where one variable increases as the other decreases.

High Values

Refers to principles or standards considered to be of utmost importance by an individual or society.

Low Values

Refers to minimal or significantly below average quantities or assessments in various contexts, such as moral standards, numerical data, or personal principles.