7.2.2

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

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Using the Hardy-Weinberg Principle

The Hardy-Weinberg principle is used to predict allele frequencies in a population. The principle is a mathematical model.

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Predictions

  • The Hardy-Weinberg principle predicts that allele frequencies will not change from generation to generation.
  • The allele frequencies do not change because a population’s allele and genotype frequencies are inherently stable.
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Assumptions

  • The Hardy-Weinberg principle only works if you make some assumptions about the population you are studying.
  • The assumptions are:
    • No mutations, migration or emigration.
    • No selective pressure for or against a specific genotype.
    • Population size is infinite.
  • In real populations, these assumptions are not normally met but making assumptions is still useful because it provides a model we can compare to real population changes.

The Hardy-Weinberg Equation

The Hardy-Weinberg equation is: p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1. The equation is used to predict the frequency of alleles, genotypes and phenotypes in a population.

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p + q = 1

  • For every gene, there are two alleles present in an individual (except some genes on the X chromosome).
  • If you know the frequency of one of these alleles, the equation p + q = 1 can be used to calculate the frequency of the other allele.
    • p = frequency of one allele.
    • q = frequency of other allele.
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p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1

  • The Hardy-Weinberg is equation: p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1
    • p2 = pp = homozygous dominant.
    • q2 = qq = homozygous recessive.
    • 2pq = heterozygous.
  • The components of the equation allows us to calculate the number of individuals in a population that have each genotype.
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Predicting genotypes

  • By observing the phenotypes in a population, you can identify how many individuals carry the homozygous recessive allele genotype (q2).
    • Only individuals who are homozygous recessive show the recessive phenotype.
    • Individuals with the dominant phenotype could be homozygous dominant or heterozygous.
  • This number can be used in the Hardy-Weinberg equation to allow the frequencies other two genotypes to be estimated.
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Pea plants

  • Pea plants can have yellow peas (pp or pq) or green peas (qq).
  • If 0.25 of the population have green peas then q2 = 0.25.
    • If q2 = 0.25, then q = 0.5.
    • Using p + q = 1, p + 0.5 = 1, p = 0.5.
    • 2pq = 0.50.
    • p2 = 0.25.
    • p = 0.5.

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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