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Multiple Choice
In a population of 100 individuals, where each individual has two alleles for a gene, and 40 individuals are homozygous for the 'b' allele, what is the total number of 'b' alleles in the population?
A
100
B
80
C
120
D
160
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that each individual in the population has two alleles for the gene in question. Therefore, the total number of alleles in the population is twice the number of individuals, which is 2 * 100 = 200 alleles.
Identify that 40 individuals are homozygous for the 'b' allele. Homozygous means they have two identical alleles, so each of these individuals has two 'b' alleles.
Calculate the number of 'b' alleles contributed by the homozygous individuals: 40 individuals * 2 'b' alleles per individual = 80 'b' alleles.
Determine the number of remaining individuals who are not homozygous for the 'b' allele: 100 total individuals - 40 homozygous individuals = 60 individuals.
Assume that the remaining 60 individuals have at least one 'b' allele each, and calculate the total number of 'b' alleles in the population by adding the alleles from homozygous individuals to those from the remaining individuals.