HARDY weinberg equi.

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predentgal

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A recessive trait appears in 81% of the individuals in a population that is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. What percent of the population in the next generation is expected to be homozygous dominant?

Answer is 1%

In solving the problem, the explanation assumes that .81 is q^2 but how does having a recessive trait equate to a homozygous recessive trait(q^2). Can someone explain, I'm soo confused.

Thankss
 
Typically for a recessive trait to be expressed, it has to be homozygous recessive. If it were heterozygous, the dominant trait will mask the recessive, displaying the dominant phenotype.
 
First thing, If population is in HW equilibrium allele freq (p and q) stay constant.

Recessive trait (i.e. Phenotype) 81% => q^2 = 0.81 => q=0.9
p+q=1 => p=0.1

Homozygous dominant = p^2 = 0.01 or 1%
 
Ok now I understand that a recessive trait has to be q^2 but in the equation p + q=1 what's q?

In the "p+q=1" relationship, p and q refer to the allele frequency in a population. Consistent with the letters used in the original problem "p" represents the allele frequency of the dominant allele and "q" the recessive allele; the sum of the two equals, of course, 100% or 1.
 
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