It is thought that the Beta Thalassemia mutation, similar to the sickle cell ane

Question

It is thought that the Beta Thalassemia mutation, similar to the sickle cell anemia mutation, is an example of balancing polymorphisms. Thus, the heterozygotes may display a greater fitness than either of the two homozygotes in the presence of mosquitoes carrying a species of Plasmodium. Let us imagine that the relative finesses are:
Waa = 0.01
WAa = 1
WAA = 0.7
What would be the frequency of the Beta Thalassemia mutation at equilibrium (Hint the mutation frequency is = 1- the wild type allele frequency)?
a. 0.23
b. 0.77
c. 0.53
d. 0.014
e. None of the above

Explanation / Answer

Since, the genotype frequency for the wild type alleles is given. From the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium the genotype frequency are-
p2 = 0.7, P= 0.83

q2 =0.01, q= 0.1

So, mutation frequency is = 1- (p+q) = 1- 0.93 = 0.07

So, the answer is (e).

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.