Which of the following is NOT one of the five conditions necessary for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

The correct answer identifies "random mutation" as one of the conditions that is NOT required for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. To maintain Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, a population must meet specific criteria that prevent evolutionary change. These conditions include no gene flow (migration of individuals), no natural selection (which would favor certain genotypes), extensive time for the population to reach equilibrium, large population size to reduce randomness, and random mating to ensure that all individuals have an equal chance to mate without preference.

Random mutations occur continuously in populations and are a natural part of evolution. Mutations introduce new genetic variations, which can alter allele frequencies over time. Therefore, they are not a requirement for maintaining Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, as this principle presupposes a stable gene pool without outside interference. In contrast, the other listed conditions are fundamental to ensure that allele frequencies remain constant from one generation to the next, thus fulfilling the criteria of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.