Skip to content
Hardy-Weinberg Principle · Q26

Q.State the Hardy-Weinberg principle. Derive the equation p2+2pq+q2=1p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1 for a gene with two alleles, AA (frequency pp) and aa (frequency qq), present in a population.

West Bengal WbchseTextbookSubjectiveImportance★★★★★
52% · 26/50 Questions
✓ Free question

Step 1. The Hardy-Weinberg principle describes the allele/genotype frequencies expected in a population NOT undergoing evolutionary change (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium).

Step 2. For a gene with alleles A (frequency p) and a (frequency q), where p+q=1.

Step 3. Under random mating, P(AA) = p × p = p² and P(aa) = q × q = q².

Step 4. P(Aa) = 2pq, since there are two equally likely ways to be heterozygous: A from mother + a from father, or a from mother + A from father.

Step 5. Since every individual falls into exactly one of these three genotype classes, the three probabilities sum to 1: p² + 2pq + q² = 1.

Step 6. This is simply the binomial expansion of (p+q)², and since p+q=1, (p+q)² = 1² = 1, confirming the equation.

✓Final answer

p² + 2pq + q² = 1, derived from random-mating genotype probabilities (AA=p², Aa=2pq, aa=q²) summing to the whole population, matching the binomial expansion of (p+q)²=1.

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.