Imagine a locus with two alleles [tex]\(\left(A_1\right.\)[/tex] and [tex]\(\left.A_2\right)\)[/tex]. The starting frequency of each allele is 0.5. With selection alone (no genetic drift), identify which of the following sets of genotype fitnesses would lead to the eventual loss of [tex]\(A_1\)[/tex], but would take a very long time for the allele to be lost (i.e., longer than all the other choices while still leading to loss).

A. None of the options would lead to the loss of [tex]\(A_1\)[/tex].

B. Fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_1: 0.1\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_2: 1.0\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_2A_2: 0.80\)[/tex].

C. Fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_1: 0.05\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_2: 1.0\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_2A_2: 0.85\)[/tex].

D. Fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_1: 0.80\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_2: 1.0\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_2A_2: 0.1\)[/tex].

E. Fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_1: 0\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_1A_2: 1.0\)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\(A_2A_2: 0.80\)[/tex].



Answer :

To understand which set of genotype fitnesses would lead to the eventual loss of [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] but take a very long time to be lost, we need to analyze the fitness values for each genotype.

1. Fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_1: 0.1 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_2: 1.0 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_2A_2: 0.80 \)[/tex]:
- [tex]\( A_1A_1 \)[/tex] has a relatively low fitness of 0.1, indicating that [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] homozygotes are at a disadvantage.
- [tex]\( A_1A_2 \)[/tex] has the highest fitness (1.0), suggesting heterozygotes have a selective advantage.
- [tex]\( A_2A_2 \)[/tex] also has a reasonable fitness of 0.80.
- Given these values, [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] would be selected against, but its presence in the heterozygote [tex]\( A_1A_2 \)[/tex] would slow down its loss over time due to the high fitness of heterozygotes.

2. Fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_1: 0.05 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_2: 1.0 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_2A_2: 0.85 \)[/tex]:
- [tex]\( A_1A_1 \)[/tex] has an even lower fitness of 0.05, indicating [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] homozygotes are at an even greater disadvantage compared to the first option.
- [tex]\( A_1A_2 \)[/tex] maintains the selective advantage with a fitness of 1.0.
- [tex]\( A_2A_2 \)[/tex] has a slightly higher fitness of 0.85 compared to the first option.
- Similar to the first set, [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] would be selected against, but the further reduced fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_1 \)[/tex] suggests [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] would be lost more quickly than in the first set.

3. Fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_1: 0.80 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_2: 1.0 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_2A_2: 0.1 \)[/tex]:
- Here, [tex]\( A_1A_1 \)[/tex] has a high fitness of 0.80.
- [tex]\( A_1A_2 \)[/tex] again has the highest fitness of 1.0.
- [tex]\( A_2A_2 \)[/tex] has a very low fitness of 0.1, indicating that [tex]\( A_2 \)[/tex] homozygotes are at a significant disadvantage.
- Under these conditions, [tex]\( A_2 \)[/tex] would be the allele selected against, not [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex].

4. Fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_1: 0 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_2: 1.0 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_2A_2: 0.80 \)[/tex]:
- [tex]\( A_1A_1 \)[/tex] has a fitness of 0, meaning [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] homozygotes have no chance of survival or reproduction.
- [tex]\( A_1A_2 \)[/tex] has the highest fitness of 1.0.
- [tex]\( A_2A_2 \)[/tex] has a decent fitness of 0.80.
- With a fitness value of 0 for [tex]\( A_1A_1 \)[/tex], [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] would be lost quite rapidly as any [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] homozygote would not contribute to the next generation.

By comparing these options, it's clear that the set of genotype fitnesses which would lead to the eventual loss of [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] but take the longest time is:

- Fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_1: 0.1 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_1A_2: 1.0 \)[/tex], fitness of [tex]\( A_2A_2: 0.80 \)[/tex].

Thus, the correct answer is the second option listed. This set of fitness values ensures [tex]\( A_1 \)[/tex] is eventually lost but retains enough presence in the population through [tex]\( A_1A_2 \)[/tex] heterozygotes to slow down the overall rate of loss considerably.