In a random population where 16% are Rh-negative, what percentage of Rh-positive individuals is heterozygous for r?

In a random population where 16% are Rh-negative, what percentage of Rh-positive individuals is heterozygous for r?

• A. 36%
• B. 48%
• C. 57%
• D. 66%

Answer: (B)

To determine the percentage of Rh-positive individuals who are heterozygous for the Rh factor, it's important to utilize the principles of population genetics, specifically the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. In a population where 16% of individuals are Rh-negative, this means that 84% of the population is Rh-positive. Let’s denote the frequency of the Rh-negative allele (denoted as 'r') as 'q' and the frequency of the Rh-positive allele (denoted as 'R') as 'p'. Given that q (the frequency of Rh-negative) is 0.16, we can calculate p (the frequency of the Rh-positive allele) using the relation p + q = 1. Thus: p = 1 - q p = 1 - 0.16 p = 0.84 Next, the genotype frequencies according to Hardy-Weinberg can be represented as follows: - The frequency of homozygous Rh-positive individuals (RR) is p^2. - The frequency of heterozygous Rh-positive individuals (Rr) is 2pq. - The frequency of homozygous Rh-negative individuals (rr) is q^2. To find the frequency of heterozyg

To determine the percentage of Rh-positive individuals who are heterozygous for the Rh factor, it's important to utilize the principles of population genetics, specifically the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

In a population where 16% of individuals are Rh-negative, this means that 84% of the population is Rh-positive. Let’s denote the frequency of the Rh-negative allele (denoted as 'r') as 'q' and the frequency of the Rh-positive allele (denoted as 'R') as 'p'.

Given that q (the frequency of Rh-negative) is 0.16, we can calculate p (the frequency of the Rh-positive allele) using the relation p + q = 1. Thus:

p = 1 - q

p = 1 - 0.16

p = 0.84

Next, the genotype frequencies according to Hardy-Weinberg can be represented as follows:

• The frequency of homozygous Rh-positive individuals (RR) is p^2.

• The frequency of heterozygous Rh-positive individuals (Rr) is 2pq.

• The frequency of homozygous Rh-negative individuals (rr) is q^2.

To find the frequency of heterozyg