Question

In a large population of sea stars, half of the individuals possess the red allele

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Each allele must be equally beneficial.

Explanation:

There are five main requirements to achieve Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium:

1. No mutation
2. No migration or gene flow
3. Very large population
4. Random mating
5. No natural selection

The red-purple allele difference has to do with #5, no natural selection. This difference in alleles "Therefore, more of them will survive and reproduce" indicates natural selection, and hence evolution, may occur, which cannot happen in Hardy-Weinberg.