Question

What do the variables in the Hardy-Weinberg equation represent?

Answer 1

The Hardy-Weinberg model is used to calculate genotypic frequencies based on allelic frequencies.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the allelic pair A1 and A2 of any one locus is considered in a population,

p is the frequency of the allele A1 0 = <p = <1

q is the frequency of the allele A2 0 = <q = <1 and p + q = 1

Considering the same allelic frequencies for both sexes, for example, in men (p,q) and in women (p,q)

In the next generation you will have:
`(p+q)^(2)` =
`p^(2)` + 2pq +
`q^(2)` = 1 where:

`p^(2)` = is the frequency of genotype A1 A1 <- Homozygous

2pq = is the frequency of genotype A1 A2 <- Heterozygous

`q^(2)` = is the frequency of genotype A2 A2 <- Homozygous

These frequencies are kept constant from generation to generation.

Answer 2

This is the Hardy-Weinberg equation - p^2 +2pq + q^2 = 1

p^2 represents the frequency of the homozygous dominant genotype
q^2 stands for the frequency of the recessive genotype
2pq is the frequency of the heterozygous genotype

Hope this helps. :)