In a population of grasshoppers, the color green (G) is completely dominant over the color brown (g). If 23% of the population is brown, calculate the percentage of the population that is expected to be heterozygous
Let's use the Hardy-Weinberg principle: p + q = 1 p² + 2pq + q² = 1 where: p - the frequency of dominant allele G q - the frequency of recessive allele g p² - the frequency of homozygous dominant individuals GG with colour green 2pq - the frequency of heterozygous individuals Gg with colour green p² - the frequency of homozygous recessive individuals gg with color brown
23% of the population is brown: p² = 23% = 0.23 p = √(p²) = √0.23 = 0.48
p = 0.48 p + q = 1 0.48 + q = 1 q = 1 - 0.48 = 0.52
The percentage of the population that is expected to be heterozygous is 2pq: 2pq = 2 * p * q = 2 * 0.48 * 0.52 = 0.4992 = 49.92%
