The distribution of the polar bear in the Arctic is highly intriguing. Spotting

Question

The distribution of the polar bear in the Arctic is highly intriguing. Spotting a polar bear is a rare even - and breathtaking. Imagine a group of scientists from The University of Wisconsin found that the frequency of the C nucleotide allele was q = 0.296 for the population of a territory in Alaska. This population consisted of 142 polar bears that were CC, 124 that were AC, and 212 were AA. Do these observations match what they should have expected if the population were at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? (Note: the allele C is dominant over A). 1.

Explanation / Answer

suppose p is a frequency of allele A which is recessive over C allele and the frequency is 1-q= 1-0.296= 0.704

here allele C is dominant over allele A but it is not specific, for what phenotype the allele is dominant. however total CC homozygous and AC heterozygous have same phenotype (because C is dominant). hence 142+ 124= 266 bears have same dominant phenotype. where as polar bears having recessive AA allele are 212.

now if the population were at hardy-weinberg equilibrium, sum of both allele must equal to 1 (0.296+ 0.704= 1). but in contrast the observed frequency of allele C (q= 0.296) is very as compare to allele A. hence their observations are contraductory.

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