Question

How do you calculate Hardy Weinberg p and q?

Answer 1

Hardy Weinberg Equation:

1. Hardy Weinberg equation can be used to calculate allele frequencies and genotype frequencies in a population and analyse any changes occurring due to evolution.
2. The equation is expressed as: $p^2+2pq+q^2=1$
3. Here p is the frequency of allele ‘A’ and q is the frequency of allele ‘a’.
4. p² represents homozygous dominant genotype “AA”.
5. q² represents homozygous recessive genotype “aa”.
6. 2pq represents heterozygous genotype “Aa”.
7. According to the equation, ${(p+q)}^2=1or,(p+q)=1$.
8. If the allele frequencies are known then the gene frequencies can be calculated from the equation if there is no mutation, gene flow, random mating, and selection occurred.
9. It is just a theoretical approach to predicting gene frequency.
10. So, if the frequency of one allele is known another allele frequency can be calculated.