If 4 percent of a population in equilibrium expresses a recessive trait, what is the probability that the offspring of two individuals who do not express the trait will express it?

Key Concepts

Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium is a principle that describes the genetic variation in a population that is not evolving. It provides a mathematical model to predict allele frequencies and genotype frequencies in a population under certain conditions, such as no mutation, migration, or selection. This concept is essential for understanding how traits are distributed in a population and serves as a baseline for studying genetic changes.

Recessive Trait

A recessive trait is a phenotype that only manifests when an individual has two copies of the recessive allele. In the context of genetics, if a trait is recessive, it can be masked by a dominant allele. Understanding how recessive traits are inherited is crucial for predicting the likelihood of offspring expressing these traits, especially when considering the genotypes of the parents.

Punnett Square

A Punnett Square is a diagram used to predict the genotypes of offspring from a cross between two individuals. It allows for the visualization of how alleles combine during reproduction, helping to determine the probability of inheriting specific traits. In this scenario, using a Punnett Square can clarify the likelihood that offspring of two non-expressing individuals will express a recessive trait, given the allele frequencies in the population.