In a population of rabbits, f(C₁) = 0.70 and f(C₂) = 0.30. The alleles exhibit an incomplete dominance relationship in which C₁C₁ produces black rabbits, C₁C₂ produces tan-colored rabbits, and C₂C₂ produces rabbits with white fur. If the assumptions of the Hardy–Weinberg principle apply to the rabbit population, what are the expected frequencies of black, tan, and white rabbits?
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
21. Population Genetics
Hardy Weinberg
Problem 21a
Textbook Question
The frequency of tasters and nontasters of PTC varies among populations. In population A, 64% of people are tasters (an autosomal dominant trait) and 36% are nontasters. In population B, tasters are 75% and nontasters 25%. In population C, tasters are 91% and nontasters are 9%.
Calculate the frequency of the dominant (T) allele for PTC tasting and the recessive (t) allele for nontasting in each population.

1
Step 1: Recognize that the problem involves calculating allele frequencies using the Hardy-Weinberg principle. The Hardy-Weinberg equation is p² + 2pq + q² = 1, where p is the frequency of the dominant allele (T), q is the frequency of the recessive allele (t), p² represents the frequency of homozygous dominant individuals, 2pq represents the frequency of heterozygous individuals, and q² represents the frequency of homozygous recessive individuals.
Step 2: Identify the frequency of nontasters (q²) in each population. For population A, q² = 36% (0.36). For population B, q² = 25% (0.25). For population C, q² = 9% (0.09).
Step 3: Calculate the frequency of the recessive allele (q) for each population by taking the square root of q². Use the formula q = √q². For example, for population A, q = √0.36.
Step 4: Calculate the frequency of the dominant allele (p) for each population using the relationship p + q = 1. Rearrange the equation to solve for p: p = 1 - q. For example, for population A, if q is calculated as √0.36, then p = 1 - q.
Step 5: Verify your results by ensuring that the calculated allele frequencies satisfy the Hardy-Weinberg equation (p² + 2pq + q² = 1). For each population, calculate p², 2pq, and q² using the values of p and q, and confirm that their sum equals 1.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hardy-Weinberg Principle
The Hardy-Weinberg Principle provides a mathematical framework for understanding allele frequencies in a population. It states that allele and genotype frequencies will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences. This principle allows us to calculate the expected frequencies of dominant and recessive alleles based on observed phenotypic ratios.
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Allele Frequency Calculation
Allele frequency refers to how often a particular allele appears in a population. For a trait governed by two alleles, such as T (dominant) and t (recessive), the frequencies can be calculated using the formula p + q = 1, where p is the frequency of the dominant allele and q is the frequency of the recessive allele. This calculation is essential for determining the genetic makeup of populations.
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Phenotypic Ratio
Phenotypic ratio is the proportion of different phenotypes observed in a population. In this case, the ratio of tasters to nontasters reflects the underlying genotypes influenced by the dominant and recessive alleles. Understanding this ratio is crucial for applying the Hardy-Weinberg Principle to calculate allele frequencies, as it provides the necessary data to derive the frequencies of T and t alleles.
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