Final answer:
The genotype frequencies for a snake population with incomplete dominance for color are calculated using the Hardy-Weinberg principle, resulting in homozygous dominant (RR) being 0.36, heterozygous (RY) 0.48, and homozygous recessive (YY) 0.16.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking for the genotype frequencies in a snake population with incomplete dominance for the color trait. Given the number of individuals with each phenotype, we can use the Hardy-Weinberg principle to estimate the genotype frequencies. The Hardy-Weinberg equation is p² + 2pq + q² = 1, where p² represents the frequency of the homozygous dominant genotype (RR), 2pq the frequency of the heterozygous genotype (RY), and q² the frequency of the homozygous recessive genotype (YY).
Firstly, we calculate total individuals in the population: 150 red + 60 orange + 40 yellow = 250. Since only yellow color (40 individuals) can be homozygous recessive (YY), q² equals 40/250 = 0.16. To find q, we take the square root of q², resulting in 0.4. Since p + q = 1, then p equals 1 - 0.4 = 0.6. By squaring p, we find p² = 0.36. Lastly, 2pq is 2 * 0.6 * 0.4 = 0.48.
The genotype frequencies are: p² (RR) = 0.36, 2pq (RY) = 0.48, and q² (YY) = 0.16.