Preview - Hardy Weinberg Population Genetics

Hardy Weinberg Practice Problems

Use the Hardy Weinberg equations to answer the following questions

 

p + q = 1

p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1

 

p = frequency of dominant allele

q = frequency of recessive allele

p2 = frequency of homozygous dominant genotype

q2 = frequency of homozygous recessive genotype

2pq = frequency of heterozygous genotype

Questions

Please answer the questions below.

In Drosophila the allele for normal length wings is dominant over the allele for vestigial wings. In a population of 1, 000 individuals, 360 show the recessive phenotype. How many individuals would you expect to be homozygous dominant and heterozygous for this trait?

The allele for unattached earlobes is dominant over the allele for attached earlobes. In a population of 500 individuals, 25% show the recessive phenotype. How many individuals would you expect to be homozygous dominant and heterozygous for this trait?

The allele for the hair pattern called “widow’s peak” is dominant over the allele for no “widow’s peak.” In a population of 1,000 individuals, 510 show the dominant phenotype. How many individuals would you expect of each of the possible three genotypes for this trait?

In the United States about 16% of the population is Rh negative. The allele for Rh negative is recessive to the allele for Rh positive. If the student population of a high school in the U.S. is 2,000, how many students would you expect for each of the three possible genotypes?

In certain African countries 4% of the newborn babies have sickle cell anemia, which is a recessive trait. Out of a random population of 1, 000 newborn babies, how many would you expect for each of the three possible genotypes?

In a certain population, the dominant PHENOTYPE of a certain trait occurs 91% of the time. What is the frequency of the dominant allele?

Notes

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