Population Genetics: Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

Flashcards covering the key concepts and objectives from the Population Genetics lecture focusing on Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium.

What determines the most common genotype when the frequency of the A allele is 0.4 in a Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium population?

The most common genotype is AA.

What is Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium?

It is a state in a non-evolving population where genotype and allele frequencies remain constant from one generation to the next.

What are the assumptions necessary for a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium?

No mutations, no natural selection, no gene flow, no genetic drift, and random mating.

How do you calculate the frequency of the AA genotype?

The frequency of AA genotype is calculated as the number of AA individuals divided by the total number of individuals.

What is the formula to find expected genotype frequencies under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium?

The expected genotype frequencies are calculated as f(A1A1) = p^2, f(A1A2) = 2pq, f(A2A2) = q^2.

What does the gene pool represent?

The gene pool represents the total genetic diversity within a population, encompassing all the alleles for every gene.

If observed genotype frequencies equal expected frequencies, what can we infer?

The population is in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium.

How do you determine if a population is in HWE based on genotype frequencies?

Compare observed genotype frequencies to expected frequencies; if they match, the population is in HWE.

What is the significance of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium in population genetics?

It serves as a baseline expectation to compare real population changes due to evolutionary forces like natural selection or genetic drift.

What happens to allele and genotype frequencies if any assumptions of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium are violated?

They will deviate from expected and change across generations.

When calculating frequencies, how are allele frequencies determined?

Allele frequencies are determined by the proportion of a particular allele among all alleles in the population.

What is the frequency of the homozygous genotype for allele A1 in a three allele system?

The frequency is always calculated as f(allele)^2 for homozygous genotypes.