Question

Starch is a complex carbohydrate that is digested by the enzyme amylase. A mutation in the gene that encodes amylase prevents the digestion of starch. The inability to digest starch is an autosomal recessive trait. In a population of 1000 flies, 410 were unable to break down starch. What is closest to the number of flies expected to be heterozygous for the amylase mutation assuming all conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are met?

Answer 1

Answer:

The closest to the number of flies expected to be heterozygous for the amylase mutation assuming all conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are met is 1600 flies.

Explanation:

According to the Hardy-Weinberg equation : p² + 2pq + q² = 1

Also p + q = 1

Where p² is the frequency of individual flies with the similar alleles for the dominant trait;

2pq is the frequency of individuals with the heterozygous allele for breaking down starch, while q² is the frequency of the individuals having similar allele formthenrecessive trait.

q² = 410/10000 = 0.041

q = 0.2

p = 1 - 0.2

p = 0.8 p² = 0.8²

p² = 0.64

2pq = 1 - 0.2 - 0.64 = 0.16

2pq = 0.16 × 10000

2pq = 1600

Therefore, the closest to the number of flies expected to be heterozygous for the amylase mutation assuming all conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium are met is 1600 flies.