The frequencies of alleles 'A' and 'a' in a population at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are 0.7 and 0.3, respectively. In a random sample of 250 individuals taken from the population, how many are expected to be heterozygous?

Question

The frequencies of alleles 'A' and 'a' in a population at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are 0.7 and 0.3, respectively. In a random sample of 250 individuals taken from the population, how many are expected to be heterozygous? (A) 112 (B) 81 (C) 105 (D) 145

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

The Hardy-Weinberg equation is a mathematical equation that can be used to calculate the genetic variation of a population at equilibrium. The equation is an expression of the principle known as Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, which states that the amount of genetic variation in a population will remain constant from one generation to the next in the absence of disturbing factors. The Hardy-Weinberg equation is expressed as:
p² + 2pq + q² =1
Where p is the frequency of the 'A' allele and q is the frequency of the 'a' allele in the population. In the equation, p²represents the frequency of the homozygous genotype AA, q² represents the frequency of the homozygous genotype aa, and 2pq represents the frequency of the heterozygous genotype Aa. In the given question heterozygote will be 2pq X 250, i.e., 2 X 0.7 X 0.3 X 250 = 105

Q. The frequencies of alleles 'A' and 'a' in a population at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are 0.7 and 0.3, respectively. In a random sample of 250 individuals taken from the population, how many are expected to be heterozygous?

112

81

105

145