Question

In a population of 20,000 individuals with alleles M and N, in which 9000 are MM, what are the frequencies of the M alleles and the N alleles?

Answer 1

Here, the total number of individuals in the population = 20000

Let 'p' be the frequency of the M allele and 'q' be the frequency of the N allele.

Also, then 'p2' represents the frequency of the individuals having MM genotype, and 'q2' represents the frequency of the individuals having NN genotype. So, '2pq' will represent the frequency of the individuals having MN genotype.

Here, p2 = 9000/20000 = 0.45

so, p = square root of 0.45 = 0.671

Now, according to the Hardy weinberg equilibrium, we know that: p + q = 1

So, q = 1 -p = 1 - 0.671 = 0.329

So, the frequency of the M allele (p) = 0.671

The frequency of the N allele (q) = 0.329

Please hit on the like button if you are satisfied with the answer. Give comments for further clarification/assistance. Thanks! Have a good day.