Hardy-Weinberg dynamics with near-perfect mixing
The applet requires Java 1.4.1 or higher. It will not run on
Windows 95 or Mac OS 8 or 9. Mac users must have OS X 10.2.6 or higher and use
a browser that supports Java 1.4. (Safari works, IE does not.
Mac OS X comes with Safari. Open Safari and set it as your default
web browser under Safari/Preferences/General.)
On other operating systems, you may obtain the latest Java plugin from
Sun's Java site.
powered by
NetLogo
view/download model file:
hw-sm.nlogo
- First, set up. Choose the number of individuals of each genotype. Click set-up to create a population of diploids. You'll see what looks like one individual. That's actually every individual created, all stacked up on one spot. The pink trait is dominant to green. There is full dominance, so heterozygotes are phenotypically indistinguishable from homozygous dominants.
- In each generation, the diploids disperse, then create haploid gametes. The gametes then combine to form the next generation of diploids. Genotype frequencies are tracked on the plot.
- Can you predict the genotype frequencies using the Hardy-Weinberg
model? Does the simulation behave as you expect? If not, what assumptions
of the Hardy-Weinberg model does the simulation violate? Why is this one worse?
(Ted Wong, Dec. 2002)