The frequencies of the phenotypes of the MN blood group were measured in a European population. Of 100 individuals, 40 were blood type M, 20 were blood type MN and 40 were blood type N. From this data it is possible to conclude that A. the frequency of the L^M allele is 0.3. B. the frequency of the L^N allele is 0.5. C. there are 60 L^M alleles in this population. D. there is a total pool of 100 alleles at this locus for this population.

SSCE VCE Biology Mechanisms of Inheritance: The frequencies of the phenotype

The frequencies of the phenotypes of the MN blood group were measured in a European population - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2004 - Paper 1

Question 14

The frequencies of the phenotypes of the MN blood group were measured in a European population. Of 100 individuals, 40 were blood type M, 20 were blood type MN and 4... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The frequencies of the phenotypes of the MN blood group were measured in a European population - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2004 - Paper 1

Step 1

A. the frequency of the L^M allele is 0.3.

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Answer

To determine the frequency of the L^M allele, we use the formula: $p = rac{2N_{MM} + N_{MN}}{2N}$ In this case, substituting the values:

$N_{MM} = 40$ (blood type M)
$N_{MN} = 20$ (blood type MN)
$N = 100$ (total individuals) Using the formula, we get: $p = rac{2(40) + (20)}{2(100)} = rac{100}{200} = 0.5$ Thus, the assertion that the frequency is 0.3 is incorrect.

Step 2

B. the frequency of the L^N allele is 0.5.

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Answer

To find the frequency of the L^N allele, we can use the formula: $q = rac{2N_{NN} + N_{MN}}{2N}$ In this case:

$N_{NN} = 40$ (blood type N)
$N_{MN} = 20$ (blood type MN) Using the formula, we find: $q = rac{2(40) + (20)}{2(100)} = rac{100}{200} = 0.5$ Thus, the statement that the frequency of the L^N allele is 0.5 is correct.

Step 3

C. there are 60 L^M alleles in this population.

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Answer

To find the number of L^M alleles, we can calculate: $2N_{MM} + N_{MN}$ Substituting values:

$N_{MM} = 40$
$N_{MN} = 20$ Hence: $2(40) + 20 = 80 + 20 = 100$ This calculates the total alleles, not specifically the L^M alleles, leading us to conclude that the population has a total of 100 alleles, not specifically 60 L^M alleles.

Step 4

D. there is a total pool of 100 alleles at this locus for this population.

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Answer

In a diploid organism, each individual has two alleles per locus. Therefore, with 100 individuals, the total number of alleles is: $2 imes 100 = 200$ However, in terms of unique alleles (L^M and L^N), the total alleles present at this specific locus would indeed refer to the unique counts, so this statement can be considered misleading. The correct interpretation is that there is a total of 200 alleles overall.

The frequencies of the phenotypes of the MN blood group were measured in a European population - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2004 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The frequencies of the phenotypes of the MN blood group were measured in a European population - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2004 - Paper 1

A. the frequency of the L^M allele is 0.3.

B. the frequency of the L^N allele is 0.5.

C. there are 60 L^M alleles in this population.

D. there is a total pool of 100 alleles at this locus for this population.

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