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Allele Frequency Equation:
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Allele frequency is the relative frequency of an allele (variant of a gene) at a particular locus in a population. It shows how common an allele is in a population's gene pool.
The calculator uses the allele frequency equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation counts all copies of the allele in homozygous individuals (2 per aa) plus one copy from each heterozygous individual, divided by the total number of alleles in the population (2 per individual).
Details: Allele frequencies are fundamental in population genetics, used to study genetic variation, evolution, and inheritance patterns. They help predict genotype frequencies using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Tips: Enter counts of homozygous recessive individuals, heterozygous individuals, and total population size. All values must be non-negative integers with total population ≥ 1.
Q1: What's the difference between allele frequency and genotype frequency?
A: Allele frequency is the proportion of a specific allele among all alleles at that locus, while genotype frequency is the proportion of individuals with a specific genotype.
Q2: What are normal allele frequency values?
A: Allele frequencies range from 0 (absent) to 1 (fixed in population). Most populations have multiple alleles at varying frequencies.
Q3: How does this relate to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?
A: Under H-W equilibrium, expected genotype frequencies can be calculated from allele frequencies (p², 2pq, q²).
Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: Assumes simple Mendelian inheritance, no selection/mutation/migration, and random mating. Not valid for sex-linked traits.
Q5: Can I calculate q (alternative allele frequency) from this?
A: Yes, q = 1 - p for a two-allele system (assuming p + q = 1).