A trait in a hummingbird population is the presence or absence of a white spot o

Question

A trait in a hummingbird population is the presence or absence of a white spot on the belly of the hummingbirds, which is controlled by a single gene with two alleles such that WW individuals have a spot, NN individuals do not have a spot, and W is dominant to N so WN individuals have a spot and look just like WW individuals for this trait. Presence or absence of the white spot has no impact on survival or reproduction; individuals mate at random with regard to whether or not there is a spot. 3/4 of the individuals in the population have a white spot. What is the frequency of the N allele?

Explanation / Answer

In Hummingbirds, the presence of W allele determines the presence of white spots. N allele has no spots. W is dominant over N.

WW birds have white spot

WN birds have white spot and

NN birds have no spot

3/4 th of the individuals in the population has white spots.

p 2 + 2pq + q 2 = 1

0.75 + q 2 = 1

q 2 = 0.25

q = 0.5

Therefore, p = 1 - 0.5 (since p + q = 1)

p = 0.5

Frequency of N allele is,

= 2pq/2 + q 2

= pq + q 2

= (0.5)(0.5) +0.25

= 0.25 + 0.25

= 0.5

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