Question

multiple choice question
given the phenotypic frequencies for black fur (dominant allele) and white fur (recessive allele) in rabbits, how would you determine the value of ( p ) and ( q )?
black fur: 0.73
white fur: 0.37
start by calculating ( p ), which is the same as the frequency of the dominant phenotype, 0.73.
start by calculating ( q ), which is the same as the frequency of the recessive phenotype, 0.37.
start by calculating ( p ): take the square root of 0.73.
start by calculating ( q ): take the square root of 0.37.

Explanation:

In the Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium, \(q^{2}\) represents the frequency of the recessive phenotype. To find \(q\) (the frequency of the recessive allele), we take the square root of \(q^{2}\). Here, the frequency of the recessive phenotype (white fur) is \(0.37\), so we start by calculating \(q=\sqrt{0.37}\).

• The first option is wrong because \(p\) is the frequency of the dominant allele, not the dominant phenotype.
• The second option is wrong because \(q\) is the frequency of the recessive allele, not the recessive phenotype.
• The third option is wrong because we don't take the square root of the dominant phenotype frequency to get \(p\).

Answer:

Start by calculating \(q\): take the square root of \(0.37\).