In population genetics, what does p2 represent in the Hardy-Weinberg formula?

In population genetics, what does p2 represent in the Hardy-Weinberg formula?

• A. The heterozygous population of one allele
• B. The homozygous population of one allele
• C. The recessive allele
• D. The dominant allele

Answer: (B)

In the context of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the formula is represented as p² + 2pq + q² = 1. Here, p represents the frequency of the dominant allele, and q represents the frequency of the recessive allele in a given population. Specifically, p² corresponds to the frequency of individuals who are homozygous for the dominant allele. This means that if you take the frequency of the dominant allele (p) and square it, you calculate the proportion of the population that is expected to be homozygous for that dominant trait. This is a fundamental concept in population genetics that allows researchers to predict how traits will be distributed in a population over generations, assuming there are no other influencing factors like mutation, migration, or selection. The other options do not accurately describe p² in this context. The frequency of heterozygotes is represented by 2pq, while q² represents the frequency of individuals who are homozygous for the recessive allele. Understanding these components is essential for interpreting genetic variation and population dynamics in evolutionary biology.

In the context of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the formula is represented as p² + 2pq + q² = 1. Here, p represents the frequency of the dominant allele, and q represents the frequency of the recessive allele in a given population.

Specifically, p² corresponds to the frequency of individuals who are homozygous for the dominant allele. This means that if you take the frequency of the dominant allele (p) and square it, you calculate the proportion of the population that is expected to be homozygous for that dominant trait. This is a fundamental concept in population genetics that allows researchers to predict how traits will be distributed in a population over generations, assuming there are no other influencing factors like mutation, migration, or selection.

The other options do not accurately describe p² in this context. The frequency of heterozygotes is represented by 2pq, while q² represents the frequency of individuals who are homozygous for the recessive allele. Understanding these components is essential for interpreting genetic variation and population dynamics in evolutionary biology.