Question

3.2 Blood groups in humans are controlled by multiple alleles. As a result, there

are four possible blood groups: A, AB, B and O. Study the graph below
which shows the percentage of people that have different blood group and
then answer the questions that follow.
Percentage of people with
different blood groups
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
60-
50
40
30
20
10-
24
49
38
A
Blood groups
10
B
3
AB
Explain what is meant by multiple alleles.
Which blood group is the least common in the human population?
Recent population statistics show that KwaZulu-Natal has a human
population of approximately 9,2 million. Calculate the number of
people who will have blood group O in KwaZulu-Natal.
9.2 million
49:100
(2)
(2)

Answer 1

5.52 million people with blood group O in KwaZulu-Natal.

Explanation:

Multiple alleles refer to the existence of more than two possible alleles (or variations) of a gene within a population. In the case of blood groups, there are multiple alleles for the gene that controls blood type, resulting in the four possible blood groups: A, AB, B, and O.

The blood group AB is the least common in the human population, with only 3% of people having this blood type.

To calculate the number of people who will have blood group O in KwaZulu-Natal, we need to multiply the total population by the percentage of people with blood group O.

9.2 million x (60/100) = 5.52 million people with blood group O in KwaZulu-Natal.