Question

If the frequency of the `p` allele is .63 in the population then what is the frequency of the `q` allele?

Answer 1

`0.37`

Explanation:

We use the Hardy-Weinberg equation, which states that,

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

where:

• `p^2`is the frequency of the homozygous genotype `"AA"`

• `2pq` is the frequency of the heterozygous genotype `"Aa"`

• `q^2` is the frequency of the homozygous genotype `"aa"`

• `p` is the frequency of the dominant allele `"A"`

• `q` is the frequency of the recessive allele `"a"`

Since we only need to find the frequency of the `q` allele, we can factor the equation into:

`(p+q)^2=1`

Plugging in for `p=0.63`, we get:

`(0.63+q)^2=1`

`0.63+q=1`

`q=1-0.63`

`=0.37`