Population genetics and recessive alleles

Remember the basic formulas:

p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1 and p + q = 1

p = frequency of the dominant allele in the population
q = frequency of the recessive allele in the population

p^2 = percentage of homozygous dominant individuals
q^2 = percentage of homozygous recessive individuals
2pq = percentage of heterozygous individuals

We are given 6/2400 as the percentage of homozygous recessive individuals:

q^2 = 6/2400 = 0.0025

Using algebra, we can find q, the frequency of the recessive allele, which is lethal if homozygous.

q = sqrt(0.0025) = 0.05 = 5%

So 5 percent of the population is a heterozygous carrier of the lethal allele.

Ok thank you!

[Solved] Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a condition of newborns caused by an autosomal recessive allele. The incide