Question

If the proportion of an African population that are susceptible to Malaria is 0.449, what is the HbA allele frequency in the population?

Answer 1

Answer

HbA allele frequency = 0.572

Comment:

Hb^A/Hb^A (P²) - This homozygous allele combination is susceptible to malaria

Hb^A/Hb^S (2PQ) - This homozygous allele combination is resistance to malaria

Hb^S/Hb^S (Q²) - This homozygous allele combination will not survive

So, for given question Hb^A/Hb^A (P²) = 0.449

So from Hardy Weinberg equation (P+Q) =1

Or Q = 1-P      or, 1-0.449       or, Q= 0.551

Allele frequency of (P) = frequency of Hb^A/Hb^A + ½ frequency of Hb^A/Hb^S

                                                ⁼ 0.449 + ½ (0.449 X 0.551)

                                    0.572