Homework 17.

1
Selection and evolution

This worksheet relates to allele frequencies in populations. You will have the opportunity to apply
your knowledge of the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium to a real situation to calculate the frequency of a
genotype. Part b of this question relates to the effect of selection on allele frequency in a population.
1 a The red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) is a major pest of stored grain products such
as wheat and rice.
There is genetic variation in the eye colour of flour beetles. Beetles with the genotypes BB and
Bb have black-coloured eyes. Beetles with the genotype bb do not have pigment in their eyes,
which appear white.
In a sample of 280 flour beetles, from a large randomly breeding population, 63 were found to
have white eyes.
i Using the Hardy–Weinberg principle, calculate the expected number of beetles in this
sample with the genotype Bb.
Show the stages in your working. [6]
ii This population of flour beetles was large and randomly breeding. State two other
conditions for the Hardy–Weinberg principle to apply to this population. [2]
b Strains of flour beetle have been discovered with an allele conferring resistance to an
insecticide.
Explain what you would expect to happen to the frequency of this allele in a population of flour
beetles, if exposed to insecticide.
Sketch a graph to show the expected changes in the frequency of the allele for insecticide
resistance. [4]
[Total: 12]

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