Write the formula to calculate allele frequency in future generations according to Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium.

Sourav PanOctober 25, 2024

Answered

Under the Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium, the allele frequencies in a population remain constant from one generation to the next, provided that the conditions for equilibrium are met (e.g., large population size, no mutation, no gene flow, random mating, and no natural selection). Here are the formulas to calculate allele frequencies in future generations, which essentially remain the same as the initial generation under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium:

Given:

• Initial Allele Frequencies:
  • p: Frequency of allele A in the initial generation
  • q: Frequency of allele a in the initial generation

Relationship:
Since the allele frequencies remain constant:

• p + q = 1 (This relationship holds true for all generations under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium)

Formulas for Allele Frequencies in Future Generations (which remain the same as the initial generation):

• Frequency of Allele A in any future generation (p_future): p_future = p
• Frequency of Allele a in any future generation (q_future): q_future = q or alternatively, q_future = 1 - p_future

Genotype Frequencies in Future Generations (for reference, though the question asked for allele frequencies):

• Frequency of Genotype AA: p^2 (remains constant across generations)
• Frequency of Genotype Aa: 2pq (remains constant across generations)
• Frequency of Genotype aa: q^2 (remains constant across generations)

Example with Initial Values:
If initially, p = 0.6 and q = 0.4,

• In any future generation, p_future = 0.6 and q_future = 0.4 (or q_future = 1 - 0.6 = 0.4)