Suppose 64% of a remote mountain village can taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and must, therefore, have at least one copy of the dominant PTC taster allele. If this population conforms to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for this gene, what percentage of the population must be heterozygous for this trait?
A) 16%
B) 32%
C) 40%
D) 48%

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1. Here, p^2 + 2pq = 0.64 (tasters). q^2 = 0.36 (non-tasters). q = 0.6, so p = 0.4. 2pq = 2(0.4)(0.6) = 0.48 or 48%.

Suppose 64% of a Remote Mountain Village Can Taste Phenylthiocarbamide