Tricky Hardy Weinberg question

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Assume a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a character trait with these genotypic frequencies: AA = 0.25, Aa = 0.50, and aa = 0.25. If you remove all the homozygous dominants and allow the remaining population to reproduce (again under Hardy-Weinberg conditions), what will be the frequency of homozygous dominants in the next generation?


0
0.11
0.22
0.44
0.50
 
the key to this problem is recalculating p. new p=1/3 and new q=2/3.

In short version,
hetero dominant(pq) is has 1p and 1q. homozygous recessive has 2 q's.
new allele frequency p=1(50)/(50+100)=1/3
new allele frequency q=[1(50)+2(25)]/(50+100)=2/3
so p^2=1/9

In longer version:
To get to the new p and q, we have to "count" number of p and q alleles in each categories. its easier to think if you think in terms of numbers than in percents. (think there are 100 rabbits total. out of 100, there are 25 homozygous dominant rabbits, 50 hetero dominant, 25 homozygous recessive.)

now that the homozygous dominant rabbits are eliminated, we have 50 heterozygous dominant rabbits and 25 dominant rabbits.

we know that
homozygous dominant (pp) has two p alleles,
heterozygous dominant (pq) has 1 p allele and 1 q allele
homozygous recessive (qq) has two q alleles,

writing this mathmatically,
#p allele = 2*(# homozygous dominant) + 1*(#heterozygous dominant)
#q allele= 2*(# homozygous recessive) + 1*(#heterozygous dominant)

allele frequency is simply #/total #. So,
allele frequency of p= #p/(#q+#p)
allele frequency of q =#q/(#q+#p)

applying the above equation to our situation (where, #homozygous dominant now is zero, #hetero dominant=50, #homozygous recessive=25)
#p=1*50=50
#q=2*25+1*50=100

allele frequency of p=50/(100+50)=1/3
allele frequency of q=100/(100+50)=2/3

so p=1/3 and q=2/3.
now according to hardy weinberg, our new homozygous dominant will be p^2, which is (1/3)^2 or 1/9. This is 0.11.
 
Last edited:
wow! impressive!

I just simply used the probability rule. p(Aa) = 1/2
Probability to get homogygous by crossing Aa x Aa = 1/4
so (1/2) x (1/4) = 1/8 = 0.125 which is pretty close to 0.11

Anyway, you are very good in biology. I am wondering how you are studying for biology.
 
regarding your approach the answer is actually a bit more complicated than you think.
1. you have to account for change in the total population after emlimination of homozygous dominant. fraction of Aa in the new population is, 0.5/0.75
2. And you have to account for the probability Aa mates with another Aa. The probability Aa mates with another Aa is (0.5/0.75)^2=0.4444
Therefore, with you logic, 0.4444*1/4=0.11111 = 1/9 (same answer as my approach above.)


how i study for bio.... I'm a biology major at MIT. My genetics+other bio classes were heavily focused on problem solving. but I still need to study just as much as non-bio majors for other areas in biology like taxa, plants, evolution, ecology, reproduction, structure,etc.. bascally 80% of whats covered on DAT. so I still find bio the hardest science subject on dat.

and I see you are very good in orgo, how are you studying for the subject and how long have you been studying for it? also, let me know if you want to do online study group. msn etc. theres no one around me taking DAT this month, and i would like to have some study buddies for motivation etc. pm me if interested.
 
I just made a google study group and im looking for motivated people who would like to join. pm me with your gmail address.
 
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