Question

Question #741a4

Answer 1

`p^2+2pq+q^2=1`

Explanation:

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium shows allele frequency in a population.

p represents the percentage of alleles that are of the dominant trait. q represents the percentage of alleles that are of the recessive trait.

Therefore, `p+q` should equal `100%` or `1`.

Since `1^2=1`, we can square `(p+q)` and have it still equal `1`.

`(p+q)^2=p^2+2pq+q^2`

`p^2` is equal to the percent of organisms homozygous for the dominant allele. `2pq` is equal to the percent of organisms that are heterozygous. `q^2` is equal to the percent of organisms homozygous for the recessive trait.

When given any of these percentages- except for the percent of organisms that are heterozygous- one may solve for all the other values. This can tell you the genotypic composition of a population.