Question

use of the hardy - weinberg equation
even though a population in true hardy - weinberg equilibrium cannot exist, how can using the equation be useful?
multiple choice
it identifies what is causing the structures of genes to change.
it can be used to detect changes in gene frequencies in a population over time.
it can be used to determine if a population bottleneck exists.
it can indicate exactly what mutations are occurring in a population.

Explanation:

The Hardy - Weinberg equation is used as a null model. It allows scientists to compare the observed gene frequencies in a population with the expected frequencies under the assumption of no evolutionary forces acting. By doing so, changes in gene frequencies over time can be detected. It doesn't identify what causes gene - structure changes, determine population bottlenecks, or indicate exact mutations.

Answer:

It can be used to detect changes in gene frequencies in a population over time.