Question

The incidence of recessive albinism is 0.0004 in a human population. If mating for this trait is random in the population, what is the frequency of the recessive allele?

   The incidence of recessive albinism is 0.0004 in a human population. If mating for this trait is random in the population, what is the frequency of the recessive allele?

Principles of Genetics

Principles of Genetics

D. Peter Snustad,… 6th Edition

Chapter 23, Problem 3

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Jessica Honkomp

06/23/2020

Step 1

0004. This is the frequency of individuals in the population who are homozygous for the recessive allele, which is represented by $q^{2}$ in the Hardy-Weinberg equation. So, we can write this as: \[q^{2}=0.0004\] Show more…

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The incidence of recessive albinism is 0.0004 in a human population. If mating for this trait is random in the population, what is the frequency of the recessive allele?

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Key Concepts

Allele Frequency Calculation

This concept involves determining the relative proportions of different alleles in a population. When provided with the frequency of a recessive phenotype, one can estimate the frequency of the corresponding recessive allele by taking the square root of the phenotype frequency, assuming Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

This principle states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary forces. It provides the framework for calculating allele frequencies and predicting genetic variation under random mating and no selection, mutation, or migration.

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Transcript

00:01 So for this problem, we have to use hardy -weinberg.

00:06 So let me go ahead and write out some of the hardy -winberg equations.

00:13 And i'll explain what these factors are that i'm putting here.

00:21 So in hardy -winberg, we're assuming random mating.

00:25 We're assuming some other things that are happening.

00:30 But basically being in equilibrium.

00:34 So if the incidence of albinism is 0 .004, what does that mean? that means that 0 .004 % of the population has albinism.

00:55 So that's the incidence of it.

00:57 We know it's a recessive trait.

01:00 And therefore, i'm going to explain what the hardy -weinberg equation that i wrote down is saying.

01:08 So this q squared is the incidence of the recessive trait.

01:15 So how many people, what's the percentage of the population that expresses that trait? so i'm just going to put r for recessive.

01:26 Make it easier here.

01:27 This right here is the carrier frequency.

01:30 So how many people are normal phenotypically but do carry that trait and could pass it on? that's this frequency here.

01:41 And then this p squared is what percentage of the population does not carry the trait and is phenotypically normal...

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