In Experiments with Laboratory Populations of Drosophila Melanogaster,Mukai and Burdick

Multiple Choice

In experiments with laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster,Mukai and Burdick (1959) observed that a lethal allele maintained a higher than expected frequency.The explanation for this observation is that,at equilibrium,the selective advantage of the lethal allele when it occurs in heterozygotes balances the disadvantage of the allele in homozygotes,and is termed ________.

A) equilibrium distribution
B) underdominance
C) allelic frequency dependence
D) overdominance
E) terminal dominance