To calculate the frequency of the heterozygote genotype (Pq) for this gene we must use the Hardy-Weinberg equation ( p2 + 2pq + q2 = 1 ). This equation relies on the Hardy-Weinberg principle, a model in population genetics that states that the frequency of the alleles in a population is never changing, only the combinations (the genotypes) are changing.
If there are only two alleles (variations) of this gene in a population, then their frequencies should add up to 1 (100%). From this, we can calculate the frequency of the q allele.
p +q=1
0,3 +q=1
q= 1-0,3
q= 0,7
Now hat we have the frequency of the q allele we can use the HW equation to calculate the frequency of the heterozygotes.
[tex] p^{2} + 2pq + q^{2} = 1 [/tex]
[tex] (0,3)^{2} + 2pq +(0.7)^{2} = 1 [/tex]
0,09 + 2pq +0.49= 1
2pq +0,58= 1
2pq= 1-0.58
2pq=0,42
The freqency of the heterozygotes in this population is 0.42