1. What is Genotype Frequency?

Genotype frequency is the proportion of a particular genotype in a population relative to all genotypes for that gene. It's a fundamental measure in population genetics and evolutionary biology.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the genotype frequency formula:

Where:

• \( observed \) — Number of individuals with the specific genotype
• \( total \) — Total number of individuals in the population

Explanation: The formula calculates the simple proportion of a genotype within a population, ranging from 0 (absent) to 1 (fixed in the population).

3. Importance of Genotype Frequency

Details: Genotype frequencies are essential for understanding genetic variation, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, genetic drift, and natural selection in populations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the count of individuals with the specific genotype and the total population size. Both values must be positive integers, and observed count cannot exceed total population.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is genotype frequency different from allele frequency?
A: Genotype frequency refers to the proportion of specific genotype combinations (e.g., AA, Aa, aa), while allele frequency refers to the proportion of specific alleles (e.g., A or a) in the population.

Q2: What are typical genotype frequency values?
A: Values range from 0 to 1. In a two-allele system with random mating, expected frequencies are p², 2pq, and q² under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Q3: When would genotype frequency be 1?
A: When all individuals in the population have the same genotype (the population is fixed for that genotype).

Q4: How does sample size affect genotype frequency estimates?
A: Larger samples provide more accurate estimates of true population frequencies. Small samples may show sampling error.

Q5: Can genotype frequencies change over time?
A: Yes, through evolutionary processes like natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and migration.