Tay-Sachs disease is caused by receiving two copies of a recessive allele at the

Question

Tay-Sachs disease is caused by receiving two copies of a recessive allele at the HEXA gene locus Mutations in the HEXA gene disrupt the activity of an enzyme called beta-hexosaminidase A, preventing it from breaking down a fatty substance known as GM2 ganglioside. GM2 ganglioside then to toxic levels in the neurons located in the brain and spinal cord. One in 3,600 people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent inherit this disease. One in 58,200 Cajuns in Louisiana also inherit the disease. Calculate the frequency of the sickle cell allele in these two populations. Take your answer out to 4 decimal points. Show your work. 5. What is the frequency of the Tax-Sachs allele in the Ahkenazi Jewish population? (3 pts.) 6. What is the frequency of the Tay-Sachs allele in the Cajun of Louisiana population? (3 pts.) 7. What percentage of people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage will be carriers of the trait, but not have the disease? (3 pts.) 8. What percentage of Cajuns of Louisiana will be carriers of the trait, but not have the disease? (3 pts.)

Explanation / Answer

5 and 7.

1P in 3600 = 1/3600 = 0.00027

i.e q2 = 0.00027

q= 0.016

p= 0.984

Carriers will be heterozygotes which according to Hardy weinber equation is 2pq= 3*0.016*0.984 = 0.031488

6 and 8.

1 in 58,200

q2= 0.000017

q= 0.0041

p=0.9959

Carriers of the disease in the Cajun of Lousinia population

2pq= 0.0081

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