Question

If you are studying a population and 92% exhibits the dominant phenotype, what percentage exhibits the recessive phenotype?

Answer 1

Using Hardy-Weinburg equation of populations at equilibrium;

P2 + 2pq + q2 = 1

P2 + 2pq = 92%

q2 = 8%

The answer is 8%. This is because phenotype is the physical characteristics (morphology) of the organism that is as a result of the influence of the environment on the genotype. The dominant genotype will include p2 + 2pq.