Albinism, an autosomal recessive trait characterized by an absence of skin pigmentation, is found in 1 in 4000 people in populations at equilibrium. Brachydactyly, an autosomal dominant trait producing shortened fingers and toes, is found in 1 in 6000 people in populations at equilibrium. For each of these traits, calculate the frequency of the recessive allele at the locus

Key Concepts

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 allele frequencies, particularly in the context of autosomal traits like albinism and brachydactyly.

Allele Frequency

Allele frequency refers to how often a particular allele appears in a population's gene pool. It is expressed as a proportion or percentage of the total number of alleles for a specific gene. Understanding allele frequency is crucial for calculating the frequency of recessive alleles, as it helps determine the genetic makeup of a population and the likelihood of inheriting certain traits.

Autosomal Recessive and Dominant Traits

Autosomal recessive traits require two copies of the recessive allele for the phenotype to be expressed, while autosomal dominant traits require only one copy of the dominant allele. In the case of albinism, which is recessive, the frequency of the recessive allele can be calculated using the formula q^2 = frequency of affected individuals. For brachydactyly, being dominant, the frequency of the dominant allele can be calculated using p^2 + 2pq = frequency of affected individuals.