Question

Hardy-Weinburg Equlibrium?

If a population that is in Hardy-Weinburg equilibrium has 500 individuals, with allele frequencies for p and q of 0.55 and 0.45, respectively, and 30% of the heterozygotes are killed by a natural disaster, how many heterozygotes are left? Will the population stay in genetic equilibrium?

Answer 1

Heterozygotes left: `0.346` or `0.3465` (depending on if you need to round.)
Genetic Equilibrium: No

Explanation:

Population: `500` individuals

• `p = 0.55`
• `q = 0.45`

To find the heterozygotes of the individual, you have to multiply.

`2pq = 2 xx (0.55) xx (0.45) = 0.495`

Now, `30%` of `0.495`

`0.495 xx .30 = 0.1485`

Heterozygotes left:

`0.495 - 0.1485 = 0.3465`

or the rounded answer...

`0.495 - 0.149 = 0.346`

For genetic equilibrium to occur p and q must equal each other without any factors of mutation, random mating, migration, genetic drift, or for a species to have an infinitely large population.

For this problem, since some of the species died off; No, this species will not stay in genetic equilibrium.