The ability to taste PTC is due to a single dominate allele "T". You sampled 215 individuals in biology, and
determined that 150 could detect the bitter taste of PTC and 65 could not. Calculate the frequency of the
heterozygous genotype.
a
34%
b
50%
c
17%
d
72%
The frequency of the heterozygous genotype can be calculated using the Hardy-Weinberg equation:
p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1
Where:
p^2 = frequency of homozygous dominant individuals
2pq = frequency of heterozygous individuals
q^2 = frequency of homozygous recessive individuals
Given:
- Total number of individuals sampled = 215
- Number of individuals who could taste PTC (homozygous dominant + heterozygous) = 150
- Number of individuals who could not taste PTC (homozygous recessive) = 65
Let's first calculate the frequency of the homozygous dominant genotype:
p^2 = 150/215 = 0.698
Now, calculate the frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype:
q^2 = 65/215 = 0.302
Next, calculate the frequency of the heterozygous genotype:
2pq = 2 * p * q
2 * 0.698 * 0.302 = 0.421
Therefore, the frequency of the heterozygous genotype is 42.1%, which is closest to 34% in the answer options.
The correct answer is therefore a) 34%.