Work through the list without notes. If you cannot do a statement, follow its link, then come back. Guide = study guide; Practice = practice questions.
Understanding
- I can explain what Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium describes and why it represents a population that is not evolving. (Guide: “A model of a population that is not changing”)
- I can list the five conditions and name the evolutionary force each one rules out. (Guide: “The five conditions”; Practice Q2)
- I can explain why the conditions are never all met, and why the model is still useful as a null hypothesis. (Guide: “The five conditions”)
- I can explain where p², 2pq and q² come from using random union of gametes. (Guide: Figure 1)
- I can explain why inbreeding or self-fertilisation changes genotype frequencies but not, by itself, allele frequencies. (Guide: “The five conditions”; Practice Q6)
Calculation and skills
- I can calculate p and q by counting alleles from genotype numbers. (Guide: Worked example 1; Practice Q3, Q6)
- I can find q from the frequency of a recessive phenotype, and then p, the carrier frequency and expected numbers. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q1, Q7)
- I can calculate expected genotype numbers and run a chi-square test with the correct degrees of freedom. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q5)
- I can describe a graph of allele frequency over generations using specific values. (Guide: “Graphs of allele frequency over time”; Practice Q4)
Reasoning
- I can decide which condition is most likely broken from a description or a graph, and justify the choice. (Practice Q2, Q4)
- I can state a correct conclusion after a chi-square test, saying “suggests” rather than “proves”. (Guide: Worked example 3; Practice Q5)
- I can explain why selection removes a rare recessive allele slowly. (Guide: Worked example 2; Practice Q7)
- I can explain when √(q²) gives a misleading answer. (Guide: “Two routes to allele frequencies”; Practice Q7)
All ticked? Move on to Topic 7.6, Evidence of Evolution, or return to the course roadmap.