Population Genetics

Gene Frequencies and

Equilibrium
Alile Banto

Review !
Population Genetics
Gene frequencies
Gene pool

Solving for gene frequency

A population of 400 individuals showing the
genotypic frequencies: 220 MM: 70 MN: 110
NN
Gene frequencies
M = (220 x 2) + 70 = 0.64 (x100) = 64%
400 x 2
N = (110 x 2) + 70 = 0.36 (x100) = 36%
400 x 2

Genotype frequencies:
MM = # of MM x 100
population
= 220 x 100
400
= 0.55 x 100
= 55 %

MN = # of MN
population
= 70 x 100
400
= 0.175 x 100
= 17.5 %

x 100

NN = # of NN
population
= 110 x 100
400
= 0.275 x 100
= 27.5 %

x 100

Hardy-Weinberg Law
Godfrey W. Hardy & Wilhelm
Weinberg in 1908
The process of heredity in a random
mating population does not change
either allelic frequencies or genotypic
frequencies at a given locus.

The equilibrium genotypic frequency is given

by the square of allelic frequencies as
follows:

(p + q)2 = p2 + 2pq + q2
Where p = dominant allele
q = recessive allele

Model Systems
for Stability
1. Co dominant allele
2. Complete Dominance
3. Sex-linked alleles
4. Multiple alleles

1. Co-dominant alleles
Alleles being fully expressed in the
heterozygous condition
*always remember the equilibrium
equation

Given: If we have MN blood type, what are the

genotypic frequencies at equilibrium and
genotypic distribution of the alleles of MN?
Frequencies: 0.6 for M, 0.4 for N.
Population: 700
Solve for genotypic distribution, genotypic
frequencies at equilibrium and gene
frequencies.

(p + q)2 = p2 + 2pq + q2

M
N

MM

MN

MN

NN

Legend

M=p
N=q

*Always remember the

equilibrium formula
For genotypic frequencies (percentage):
MM = p2 = (0.6) 2 = 0.36 x 100 = 36 %
MN = 2pq = 2 (0.6) (0.4) = 0.48 x 100 = 48 %
NN = q2 = (0.4) 2 = 0.16 x 100 = 16 %
(x100 for getting the percentage; constant)

*Always remember the

equilibrium formula
For genotypic distribution:
MM = p2 = (0.6) 2 = 0.36 x 700 = 252
MN = 2pq = 2 (0.6) (0.4) = 0.48 x 700 = 336
NN = q2 = (0.4) 2 = 0.16 x 700 = 112
(700 is the given population)

For gene frequencies:

M = (252 x 2) + 336 = 0.6
700 x 2
N = (112 x 2) + 336 = 0.4
700 x 2

2. Complete Dominance
The genotypic frequencies are not
directly observed, except for those of
the homozygous recessive (q2 )

Ex. taster gene or the ability to taste

phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is dominant (T)
and the inability to taste PTC is recessive
(t). In a population consisting of 1000
individuals, 700 are tasters and 300 are
non-tasters.
T = 700 ; t = 300 ; population = 1000
T=p;t=q

f(tt) = q2 = 300 = 0.3

1000
f(t) = q = 0.3 = 0.55
p+q=1
p=1q
= 1 0.55
= 0.45

(p + q)2 = p2 + 2pq + q2
For genotypic frequencies:
TT = p2 = (0.45) 2 = 0.2025 x 1000 = 203
Tt = 2pq = 2 (0.45) (0.55) = 0.495 x 1000 = 495
tt = q2 = (0.55) 2 = 0.3025 x 1000 = 302

3. Sex-linked Alleles
Usually, it is the X chromosome that is
considered in which case the female will
have two alleles, the male will only have
one.
The genetic condition of hemophilia is
carried on the X chromosome.

Hemophilia
H = dominant ; p
h = recessive ; q

4. Multiple Alleles

 sheet of paper
CD Alleles. C = p and D = q
Given: C= 0.4 and D = 0.6; population is 900
Solve for genotypic frequencies, genotypic
distribution and gene frequencies. Show
your solutions.