Question

In a certain population, the frequency of three genotypes is as follows:

Genotypes: BB Bb bb

Frequency:
22% 62% 16%

What is the likely frequency of B and b alleles?

Answer 1

In a population with genotype frequencies for BB, Bb, and bb of 22%, 62%, and 16%, the frequency of the B allele is 53% and the frequency of the b allele is 47%.

Step-by-step explanation:

The frequency of B and b alleles in a population with genotypes BB, Bb, and bb frequencies of 22%, 62%, and 16%, respectively, can be calculated using the Hardy-Weinberg principle. The frequency of an allele is found by adding the frequency of the homozygous genotype for that allele to half the frequency of the heterozygous genotype, assuming the population is in equilibrium.

To find the frequency of the B allele (p), we use the frequency of BB and half of Bb. Here, p = 0.22 + (0.62 / 2) = 0.53. Similarly, for the b allele (q), q = 0.16 + (0.62 / 2) = 0.47. These frequencies demonstrate that allele frequencies can be derived from genotype frequencies.