Consider rare disorders in a population caused by an autosomal recessive mutation. From the frequencies of the disorder in the population given, calculate the percentage of heterozygous carriers:

0.09

Key Concepts

Autosomal Recessive Inheritance

Autosomal recessive inheritance refers to a pattern where two copies of a mutated gene, one from each parent, are necessary for an individual to express a disorder. Carriers, who possess one normal and one mutated allele, do not show symptoms but can pass the mutated allele to their offspring. This concept is crucial for understanding how disorders manifest in a population and the implications for carrier frequency.

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

The Hardy-Weinberg principle provides a mathematical framework for understanding genetic variation in a population at equilibrium. It states that allele and genotype frequencies will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences. This principle is essential for calculating carrier frequencies, as it allows us to relate the frequency of the disorder to the frequency of carriers in the population.

Carrier Frequency Calculation

Carrier frequency calculation involves determining the proportion of individuals in a population who are heterozygous for a specific autosomal recessive mutation. Using the Hardy-Weinberg equation, if the frequency of the disorder (homozygous recessive) is known, the carrier frequency can be derived. For example, if the disorder frequency is 0.09, the carrier frequency can be calculated using the formula 2pq, where p is the frequency of the normal allele.