Which statement is true about the Hardy-Weinberg Principle?

The Hardy-Weinberg Principle is a fundamental concept in population genetics that establishes a baseline to understand the genetic structure of a population under certain ideal conditions. The principle operates under several assumptions, one of which is that random mating occurs in the population. This means that individuals pair by chance, without any preference for specific phenotypes or genotypes. Because random mating prevents systematic changes in allele frequency due to mate selection, it allows for the study of genetic variation in a population without the confounding influences of selection, genetic drift, or migration.

In a scenario where random mating is assumed, the allele frequencies can be maintained across generations, facilitating the calculation of expected genotype frequencies using the Hardy-Weinberg equations. When these assumptions hold true, allele frequencies remain constant over time, barring the influence of other evolutionary forces. Therefore, the statement about random mating is a core aspect of the Hardy-Weinberg Principle, reinforcing its role as a foundational model in understanding genetic equilibrium.