In pea plants, purple flower color, $C$, is dominant to white flower color, $c$. The table shows the frequencies of the dominant and recessive alleles in three generations of peas in a garden.



\begin{table}

\captionsetup{labelformat=empty}

\caption{Allele Frequency for Flower Color in Peas}


Generation
$p$$q$

1
0.600.40

2
0.640.36

3
0.750.25

4
0.800.20




\end{table}



Which generation showed the greatest frequency of having one of each allele?


Ageneration 1
Bgeneration 2
Cgeneration 3
Dgeneration 4

Verified Answer :

  • Calculate the frequency of the heterozygous genotype (\(2pq\)) for each generation using the Hardy-Weinberg formula.
  • Results obtained are: Gen 1: \(0.48\), Gen 2: \(0.4608\), Gen 3: \(0.375\), Gen 4: \(0.32\).
  • Compare the frequencies to identify the highest value.
  • The greatest frequency occurs in \(\boxed{\text{generation 1}}\).

Explanation

  1. Analyze the formula for genotype frequency

In population genetics, when a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the genotype frequencies are determined by the allele frequencies. The frequency of the heterozygous genotype (individuals carrying one dominant allele \(C\) and one recessive allele \(c\)) is given by the expression \(2pq\), where \(p\) is the frequency of the dominant allele and \(q\) is the frequency of the recessive allele. Our objective is to calculate this frequency for each of the four generations provided and identify which one yields the highest value.

  1. Calculate genotype frequencies for each generation

We calculate the frequency \(H = 2pq\) for each generation based on the provided data:

  • For Generation 1 (\(p = 0.60, q = 0.40\)):

\[H_1 = 2 \times 0.60 \times 0.40 = 0.48\]

  • For Generation 2 (\(p = 0.64, q = 0.36\)):

\[H_2 = 2 \times 0.64 \times 0.36 = 0.4608\]

  • For Generation 3 (\(p = 0.75, q = 0.25\)):

\[H_3 = 2 \times 0.75 \times 0.25 = 0.375\]

  • For Generation 4 (\(p = 0.80, q = 0.20\)):

\[H_4 = 2 \times 0.80 \times 0.20 = 0.32\]

  1. Compare and determine the maximum frequency

Comparing the calculated values:

  • \(H_1 = 0.48\)
  • \(H_2 = 0.4608\)
  • \(H_3 = 0.375\)
  • \(H_4 = 0.32\)

The greatest frequency is \(0.48\), which corresponds to Generation 1. Therefore, Generation 1 showed the highest frequency of heterozygous individuals.

Examples

Understanding population genetics is vital for conservation efforts and agriculture. For example, by tracking allele frequencies, scientists can determine if a population of endangered plants is maintaining genetic diversity or if the population is suffering from a bottleneck effect, which reduces the frequency of heterozygotes over time. Identifying the generation with the highest heterozygosity helps researchers assess the health and evolutionary potential of the population. Calculations are straightforward using the formula \(H = 2pq\), allowing for quick comparisons across different time periods.