In the context of an irregular mating population, characterized by the presence of an autosomal recessive lethal gene with a frequency of 0.4, what would be the estimated frequency of carriers among a population consisting of 200 individuals?
96
36
104
72
In Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium,
p = frequency of the dominant allele
q = frequency of the recessive allele
In the question it is given that, q = 0.4
Applying Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
p + q = 1
p = 1- 0.4 = 0.6
Hence, the estimated frequency of carriers = 2pq = 2 x 0.4 x 0.6 = 0.48
Therefore, the estimated frequency of carriers in a population of 200 individuals with an autosomal recessive lethal gene frequency of 0.4 is: 0.48 x 200 = 96
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.