Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the b-globin gene. Heterozygotes f

Question

Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the b-globin gene. Heterozygotes for the Hbs disease allele have some protection from malaria relative to wild-type, but Hbs homozygotes rarely live to produce offspring. 50 individuals homozygous for the normal (non-disease) allele produced a total of 47 children. 50 heterozygous individuals produced a total of 55 children. 50 Hbs homozygous individuals produced a total of 0 children. What is the average fitness per individual of the heterozygotes? What is the relative fitness of the homozygous normal individuals?

Explanation / Answer

Average fitness of homozygous population = Number of progeny/ number of parents = 47/ 50 = 0.94

Average fitness of heterozygotes = 55/50 = 1.1 (means 1.1 progeny per parent).

Relative fitness = number of progeny produced per parent, compared to the maximum number of progeny produced by any parent.

The value of relative fitness ranges from 0 to 1. In this case, the maximum number of progeny is produced by heterozygotes.

Thus, relative fitness = 0.94/ 1.1 = 0.854

The maximum relative fitness = 1.1/ 1.1 = 1

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