Following the Hardy-Weinberg theory, we can say that the country cats population is in equilibrium, while the City cats population is not. This is probably due to the action of evolutive forces.
Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium theory states that the allelic frequencies in a locus are represented as p and q. Assuming a diallelic gene,
- p is the frequency of the dominant allele,
- q is the frequency of the recessive allele.
The genotypic frequencies after one generation are
- p² (H0m0zyg0us dominant genotypic frequency),
- 2pq (Heter0zyg0us genotypic frequency),
- q² (H0m0zyg0us recessive genotypic frequency).
If a population is in H-W equilibrium, it gets the same allelic and genotypic frequencies generation after generation.
The addition of the allelic frequencies equals 1
p + q = 1.
The sum of genotypic frequencies equals 1
p² + 2pq + q² = 1
Solving the problem
We are given the genotypic frequencies of each population.
Now, we need to say if these populations are in H-W equilibrium, and if not, why?
So let us analyze each population separately.
Country Cats
We have the following genotypic frequencies, F(xx).
- F(+/+) = p² = 0.49
- F(+/ss) = 2pq = 0.42
- F (ss/ss) = q² = 0.09
Now, we need to get the allelic frequencies, p and q.
To do it, we will add half the heter0zyg0us frequency to each of the h0m0zyg0us frequencies.
- p = 0.49 + (0.42/2) = 0.49 + 0.21 = 0.7
p = 0.7 ⇒ Frequency of the dominant allele
- q = 0.09 + (0.42/2) = 0.09 + 0.21 = 0.3
q = 0.3 ⇒ Frequency of the recessive allele
Now, if this population is in H-W equilibrium, it will get the same allelic and genotypic frequencies generations after generation.
So now, we will get the genotypic frequencies (p², 2pq, and q²) of the following generation.
- If p = 0.7 ⇒ p² = 0.7² = 0.49
- If q = 0.3 ⇒ q² = 0.3² = 0.09
- 2pq = 2 x 0.7 x 0.3 = 0.42
The given genotypic frequencies in one generation are equal to the calculated genotypic frequencies in the next generation.
We can conclude this country's cats population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No evolutive events are going on.
City Cats
We have the following genotypic frequencies, F(xx).
- F(+/+) = p² = 0.52
- F(+/ss) = 2pq = 0.45
- F (ss/ss) = q² = 0.03
Now, we need to get the allelic frequencies by adding half the heter0zyg0us frequency to each of the h0m0zyg0us frequencies.
- p = 0.52 + (0.45/2) = 0.52 + 0.225 = 0.745
p = 0.745 ⇒ Frequency of the dominant allele
- q = 0.03 + (0.45/2) = 0.03 + 0.225 = 0.255
q = 0.255 ⇒ Frequency of the recessive allele
Now, if this population is in H-W equilibrium, it will get the same allelic and genotypic frequencies generations after generation.
So now, we will get the genotypic frequencies (p², 2pq, and q²) of the following generation.
- If p = 0.745 ⇒ p² = 0.745² = 0.555
- If q = 0.255 ⇒ q² = 0.255² = 0.065
- 2pq = 2 x 0.745 x 0.255 = 0.379
The given genotypic frequencies in one generation differ from the calculated genotypic frequencies in the next generation.
Generation 1 Generation 2
p² 0.52 0.555
2pq 0.45 0.379
q² 0.03 0.065
We can conclude that this city's cats population is not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Probably some evolutive events are going on.
The evolutive forces affecting the H-W equilibrium are natural selection, genetic drift, and genetic flow. The mating system might also affect the equilibrium in this population.
You can learn more about H-W equilibrium at
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