1. What is Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium?

The Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) is a principle stating that allele and genotype frequencies in a population will remain constant from generation to generation in the absence of evolutionary influences.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Hardy-Weinberg equations:

Where:

• \( p \) — Frequency of the dominant allele
• \( q \) — Frequency of the recessive allele
• \( p^2 \) — Frequency of homozygous dominant genotype
• \( 2pq \) — Frequency of heterozygous genotype
• \( q^2 \) — Frequency of homozygous recessive genotype

Explanation: The equations describe the relationship between allele frequencies and genotype frequencies in an ideal population.

3. Importance of HWE Calculations

Details: HWE calculations are fundamental in population genetics, used to test for evolutionary pressures, validate genetic data quality, and estimate carrier frequencies for genetic diseases.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter observed frequencies of homozygous dominant (p²) and heterozygous (pq) genotypes. Values must be between 0 and 1, and their sum must not exceed 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the assumptions of HWE?
A: The population must be large, randomly mating, with no mutations, migration, or natural selection.

Q2: How is HWE used in genetics?
A: It's used to estimate allele frequencies, test for deviations from equilibrium (suggesting evolutionary forces), and validate genotype data quality.

Q3: What does deviation from HWE indicate?
A: Possible inbreeding, population stratification, selection, genotyping errors, or other evolutionary forces at work.

Q4: Can HWE be applied to multi-allelic systems?
A: Yes, the principle extends to multiple alleles, though the equations become more complex.

Q5: How accurate are HWE predictions?
A: In ideal conditions (large, random-mating populations), predictions are very accurate. Deviations suggest violations of HWE assumptions.