In an isolated population of fruit flies, 4% of the individuals have pink eyes, a homozygous recessive condition, and 96% have the dominant black eye phenotype. What percentage of the population are heterozygotes?
A) 32%
B) 16%
C) 48%
D) 88%
E) 4%

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using the Hardy-Weinberg principle, if q^2 represents the frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype (pink eyes), then q^2 = 0.04 (4%). Therefore, q = sqrt(0.04) = 0.2. Since p + q = 1, p = 1 - 0.2 = 0.8. The frequency of heterozygotes is 2pq = 2(0.8)(0.2) = 0.32 or 32%.

In an Isolated Population of Fruit Flies, 4% of the Individuals