In a study of genetic variation at the Graceland gene, a researcher finds that there are two alleles in a population. In a large sample (500 individuals), the frequency of heterozygotes is 0.63. Is the population in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
A)No. The frequency of heterozygotes would be 1 if the population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
B)No. The highest frequency of heterozygotes under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is 0.5.
C)No. There would be no heterozygotes if the population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
D)No. The frequency of each genotype would be equal if the population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the maximum frequency of heterozygotes is 0.5. Since the observed frequency is 0.63, this suggests an excess of heterozygotes and the population is not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

In a Study of Genetic Variation at the Graceland Gene