For a population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, in a situation where there are only two alleles at a particular locus, the proportions of genotypes are: SS = 0.64, Ss = 0.32, and ss = 0.04. Calculate the allele frequency for the recessive allele.
A) 0.04
B) 0.2
C) 0.32
D) 0.64
E) 0.8

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium equation, p² + 2pq + q² = 1, where p and q are the frequencies of the dominant and recessive alleles, respectively. The genotype frequencies given in the question can be used to solve for q² (the frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype):

ss = q² = 0.04

Taking the square root of both sides gives the frequency of the recessive allele, q:

q = sqrt(0.04) = 0.2

Therefore, the answer is B.

For a Population in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, in a Situation Where