Amoeba Sisters Hardy Weinberg Worksheet Answers Unveiled!
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The Hardy-Weinberg principle is a fundamental concept in population genetics that helps to explain the genetic variation in populations. It establishes a baseline against which evolutionary change can be measured. The Amoeba Sisters, known for their engaging educational videos and resources, have created a worksheet to help students understand this principle better. In this article, we'll unveil the answers to the Amoeba Sisters Hardy Weinberg worksheet and clarify the key concepts associated with this principle.
Understanding the Hardy-Weinberg Principle
The Hardy-Weinberg principle states that allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of other evolutionary influences. This equilibrium is determined by five key assumptions:
- Large Population Size: The population must be large enough to prevent random drift.
- No Mutations: There should be no new alleles added to the gene pool.
- No Migration: The population must be isolated from other populations to prevent gene flow.
- Random Mating: Individuals must mate randomly without any preference for specific genotypes.
- No Natural Selection: All genotypes must have equal chances of survival and reproduction.
When these conditions are met, the allele frequencies can be represented by the equation:
[ p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1 ]
Where:
- ( p ) = frequency of the dominant allele
- ( q ) = frequency of the recessive allele
- ( p^2 ) = frequency of the homozygous dominant genotype
- ( 2pq ) = frequency of the heterozygous genotype
- ( q^2 ) = frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype
Key Terms and Concepts
Understanding the following key terms is crucial for mastering the Hardy-Weinberg principle:
- Allele: Different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.
- Genotype: The genetic makeup of an individual, represented by two alleles.
- Phenotype: The physical expression of a genotype.
Amoeba Sisters Hardy Weinberg Worksheet Breakdown
The Amoeba Sisters Hardy Weinberg worksheet typically contains several questions designed to test a student's understanding of the principles outlined above. Here, we'll provide the answers along with explanations to help you grasp the concepts effectively.
Question 1: Calculate Allele Frequencies
Suppose in a population of 200 individuals, 120 are homozygous dominant (AA), 60 are heterozygous (Aa), and 20 are homozygous recessive (aa). What are the allele frequencies of A and a?
Answer:
- Total individuals = 200
- Total alleles = 200 individuals × 2 alleles per individual = 400 alleles
To find the frequency of allele A:
- Frequency of A (p) = (2 × AA + Aa) / Total alleles
- Frequency of A (p) = (2 × 120 + 60) / 400
- Frequency of A (p) = (240 + 60) / 400 = 300 / 400 = 0.75
To find the frequency of allele a (q):
- Frequency of a (q) = (2 × aa + Aa) / Total alleles
- Frequency of a (q) = (2 × 20 + 60) / 400
- Frequency of a (q) = (40 + 60) / 400 = 100 / 400 = 0.25
Question 2: Genotype Frequencies
Based on the allele frequencies calculated above, what are the expected genotype frequencies in this population?
Answer: Using the Hardy-Weinberg equation:
- ( p^2 = (0.75)^2 = 0.5625 )
- ( 2pq = 2(0.75)(0.25) = 0.375 )
- ( q^2 = (0.25)^2 = 0.0625 )
Question 3: Number of Individuals for Each Genotype
How many individuals in the population are expected to be homozygous dominant (AA), heterozygous (Aa), and homozygous recessive (aa)?
Answer: Using the expected frequencies:
-
AA (homozygous dominant):
- Expected individuals = ( p^2 \times Total )
- Expected individuals = ( 0.5625 \times 200 = 112.5 ) (approx. 113 individuals)
-
Aa (heterozygous):
- Expected individuals = ( 2pq \times Total )
- Expected individuals = ( 0.375 \times 200 = 75 ) individuals
-
aa (homozygous recessive):
- Expected individuals = ( q^2 \times Total )
- Expected individuals = ( 0.0625 \times 200 = 12.5 ) (approx. 13 individuals)
<table> <tr> <th>Genotype</th> <th>Frequency</th> <th>Expected Individuals</th> </tr> <tr> <td>AA</td> <td>0.5625</td> <td>113</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Aa</td> <td>0.375</td> <td>75</td> </tr> <tr> <td>aa</td> <td>0.0625</td> <td>13</td> </tr> </table>
Important Notes
"The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is theoretical and rarely observed in real populations due to the influence of evolutionary forces."
However, understanding it provides a crucial framework for exploring genetic variations and evolutionary processes.
Conclusion
The Amoeba Sisters Hardy Weinberg worksheet serves as a practical tool for students to engage with and understand the principles of population genetics. By uncovering the answers to the questions posed in the worksheet, students can reinforce their knowledge of allele frequencies, genotype frequencies, and the various conditions necessary for a population to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Whether you're a student trying to grasp these concepts or an educator looking for resources, the Amoeba Sisters' approach to teaching this fundamental concept makes learning both engaging and effective.