To increase genetic diversity in the bighorn sheep population described in Problem 23, ten sheep are introduced from a population where the c allele is absent. Assuming that random mating occurs between the original and the introduced sheep, and that the c allele is selectively neutral, what will be the frequency of c in the next generation?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the initial frequency of the c allele in the original bighorn sheep population from Problem 23. This frequency is usually denoted as \(p_c\) or \(f(c)\).
2. Determine the allele frequencies in the introduced population. Since the c allele is absent there, the frequency of c in the introduced sheep is 0.
3. Calculate the combined allele frequency of c in the mixed population after introducing the ten sheep. Use a weighted average based on the number of individuals in each group. If \(N_o\) is the number of original sheep and \(N_i = 10\) is the number of introduced sheep, then the new frequency \(f'(c)\) is given by: \[f'(c) = \frac{N_o \times f(c) + N_i \times 0}{N_o + N_i}\]
4. Since the c allele is selectively neutral, assume no selection affects allele frequencies between generations, so the frequency of c in the next generation remains \(f'(c)\).
5. Summarize that the frequency of c in the next generation is the weighted average of the original frequency and zero from the introduced sheep, reflecting random mating and no selection.

Key Concepts

Allele Frequency

Allele frequency refers to how common a particular allele is in a population's gene pool. It is calculated as the proportion of all copies of a gene that are a specific allele. Understanding allele frequency helps predict genetic variation and evolutionary changes over generations.

Gene Flow and Population Mixing

Gene flow occurs when individuals from different populations interbreed, introducing new alleles into a population. This mixing can alter allele frequencies and increase genetic diversity, especially when migrants carry alleles absent in the original population.

Selective Neutrality

A selectively neutral allele does not affect an organism's fitness, meaning it neither increases nor decreases survival or reproduction. Such alleles change frequency mainly through genetic drift or gene flow rather than natural selection.