A group of organisms of the same species occupying the same area at the same time and capable of interbreeding is known as a what?
Population
Members share a gene pool and can potentially reproduce with one another.
What term describes the complete set of alleles present within all individuals of a population?
Gene pool
Includes every allele of every gene present in that population.
In population genetics, what does the proportion of a particular allele among all alleles for a gene represent?
Allele frequency
Often expressed as a decimal or percentage within the gene pool.
What principle states that allele frequencies in a population remain constant from generation to generation if certain conditions are met?
Hardy–Weinberg principle
Provides a mathematical model for genetic equilibrium in populations.
Fill in the blank:
The Hardy–Weinberg equation describing genotype frequencies in a population is ______.
p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1
Used to predict genotype frequencies when allele frequencies are known.
In the Hardy–Weinberg equation, which symbol represents the frequency of the dominant allele?
p
p + q = 1 because the total frequency of alleles at a locus equals 1.
In the Hardy–Weinberg equation, which symbol represents the frequency of the recessive allele?
q
Together with p, it accounts for all alleles of that gene in the population.
In the Hardy–Weinberg equation, which term represents the frequency of heterozygous individuals?
2pq
Represents individuals carrying one dominant and one recessive allele.
In the Hardy–Weinberg equation, which term represents the frequency of homozygous dominant individuals?
p2
Individuals possess two copies of the dominant allele.
In the Hardy–Weinberg equation, which term represents the frequency of homozygous recessive individuals?
q2
Individuals possess two copies of the recessive allele.
True or False:
The Hardy–Weinberg principle predicts that allele frequencies change every generation in a stable population.
False
It predicts allele frequencies remain constant if the required conditions are met.
What must occur between members of a population for them to be considered part of the same gene pool?
Interbreeding
Individuals must be capable of producing fertile offspring together.
True or False:
The Hardy–Weinberg equation can be used to estimate allele frequencies from phenotype data in a population.
True
For example, recessive phenotypes can be used to estimate q².
If the frequency of a recessive phenotype in a population is known, which Hardy–Weinberg term does it represent?
q2
The recessive phenotype appears only in homozygous recessive individuals.
Once q2 is known, which step allows calculation of the recessive allele frequency?
square root
Taking √q² gives q, the recessive allele frequency.