We have been studying evolution (a change in allele frequency of a population), and how it happens. The Hardy-Weinberg principle describes a stable population where no evolution is taking place.
What is required in order to have no evolution within a population? 1. No mutations take place. 2. No immigration or emigration that would cause gene transfers between separate gene pools. 3. Only random mating occurs no differential mating success. 4. No selection occurs. 5. The population must be very large If these five factors are happening in a population No evolution is happening and the population is said to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Since there is no evolution occurring, the overall number of dominant and recessive alleles in the gene pool will remain constant Calculating Allele Frequencies Two equations are used to calculate the frequency of alleles in a population. In both equations: p = the frequency of the dominant allele q = the frequency of the recessive allele (it is assumed that there are only two alleles for the trait in the gene pool) Calculating Allele Frequencies Since there are only two alleles: p + q = 1.0 This is because the frequency of the alleles much add to 100%, or 1.0. Calculating Allele Frequencies The second equation is: p 2 + 2pq + q 2 = 1.0 This equation means that 100% of individuals in the population will have one of these genotypes: AA, Aa or aa. Lets look at each genotype to understand the equation Genotypes and Allele Frequencies If p represents the frequency of the A allele, then the frequency of the genotype AA will be p x p or p 2 If q represents the frequency of the a allele, then the frequency of the genotype aa will be q x q or q 2 For heterozygotes, we must allow for either the mother or the father to contribute the dominant or recessive alleles. You can think of it as allowing for both genotypes Aa and aA. So, we calculate the frequency of the heterozygous genotype as 2pq. Application to Rock Pocket Mice Population Genotype Phenotype Homozygous dominant DD Dark Heterozygous Dd Dark Homozygous recessive dd Light Remember that: p = the frequency of the dominant allele (D) q = the frequency of the recessive allele (d) p 2 = the frequency of DD 2pq = the frequency of Dd q 2 = the frequency of dd
Sample problem In a hypothetical population consisting of 100 rock pocket mice, 81 individuals have light, sandy coloured fur. Their genotype is dd. The other 19 individuals are dark coloured and have either genotype DD or Dd. Find p and q for this population and calculate the frequency of heterozygous genotypes in the population.