Understanding Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium: Frequency Changes Over Generations

What will be the allele frequencies after multiple generations if allele a is a lethal recessive?

a) After 1 generation: p = 0.25, q = 0.75
b) After 5 generations: p = 0.0009765625, q = 0.9990234375
c) After 10 generations: p = 9.765625e-07, q = 0.9999990234
d) After 25 generations: p = 0, q = 1
Final Answer: After 25 generations, p = 0 and q = 1.

Explanation

If allele a is a lethal recessive, it will be selectively eliminated over generations due to individuals with genotype aa not surviving to reproduce. As the initial frequencies are p = 0.5 and q = 0.5, after 25 generations, p (frequency of a) will be reduced to 0, and q (frequency of A) will become 1. The answer is d) After 25 generations: p = 0, q = 1.

The Hardy-Weinberg equation allows us to predict allele and genotype frequencies in a population. The frequencies of alleles and genotypes in a population at equilibrium will remain constant from generation to generation, unless disturbed by certain factors.

The Hardy-Weinberg equation helps us understand how allele frequencies change over generations in a population. If allele a is a lethal recessive, it will be removed from the population through natural selection.

Using the Hardy-Weinberg equation, we can calculate the frequencies of alleles and genotypes after 1, 5, 10, 25, 100, and 1000 generations. The genotype frequencies will approach stability over time as the effects of natural selection become prominent.