Question

How do you apply the Hardy Weinberg Equation?

Answer 1

Hardy Weinberg Equation:

1. The Hardy Weinberg equation refers to the calculation of the genetic variation of a population at an equilibrium state.
2. The equation is expressed as, p² + 2pq + q² = 1
3. Let's suppose a height-determining gene is expressed by two alleles ‘L’ and ‘l’, where p is the frequency of the “L” allele and q is the frequency of the ‘l'' allele.
4. p² represents homozygous genotype “LL”
5. q² represents homozygous genotype ‘ll’
6. The pq in the equation represents heterozygous genotype Ll.
7. According to the equation, 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. It is just a theoretical approach to predicting gene frequency.