What is the impact of selection on the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

The impact of selection on the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is that it disrupts allele frequencies. In a population that adheres to the Hardy-Weinberg principle, allele frequencies remain constant over time in the absence of evolutionary influences. These conditions include no selection, random mating, no mutations, no gene flow, and a large population size.

When natural selection is introduced, it favors certain alleles over others based on their adaptive advantages, which leads to changes in allele frequencies. For example, if a particular trait provides a survival advantage, individuals with that trait are more likely to reproduce and pass on their alleles to the next generation. As a consequence, the alleles associated with the advantageous trait will increase in frequency, while others may decrease, thus disrupting the equilibrium established by the principles of Hardy-Weinberg.

This disruption underscores the dynamic nature of allele frequencies under the influence of environmental factors and selective pressures, illustrating why selection is a key mechanism in the process of evolution.