Genetic equilibrium

A genetic equilibrium occurs when an allele within a gene pool is not changing in frequency (i.e. evolving). For this to be the case, evolutionary forces acting upon the allele must be equal and opposite. The only basic requirement is that the population be large enough that the effects of genetic drift are minimised. For more see heterozygote advantage, fixation, mutation-selection balance, negative frequency-dependent selection. There may be inbreeding as this reduces heterozygosity but does not cause evolution.

• No gene mutations
• Large population size
• Limited-to-no immigration, emigration, or migration
• Gene of interest has no effect on survival/reproduction, and there is no natural selection
• Mating is random (panmixis)

See also

• Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

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