In a population where the allele frequencies of C and c are 0.7 and 0.3 respectively, what is the expected frequency of the cc genotype under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

• A. 0.09
• B. 0.49
• C. 0.21
• D. 0.09

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the allele frequencies given: frequency of allele C (p) = 0.7 and frequency of allele c (q) = 0.3.
2. Recall that under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the genotype frequencies can be calculated using the formula: \(p^2\) for CC, \$2pq\( for Cc, and \)q^2$ for cc.
3. Since we want the frequency of the cc genotype, focus on calculating \(q^2\).
4. Calculate \(q^2\) by squaring the frequency of allele c: \(q^2 = (0.3)^2\).
5. The result of \(q^2\) gives the expected frequency of the cc genotype in the population under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.