Asked by crystal
What will happen to the frequency of the recessive allele for the HbS gene when there is an outbreak of malaria?
The frequency will increase.
The frequency will decrease.
The frequency will remain constant.
It is impossible to predict how the allele frequency will change.
The frequency will be cut in half with each generation.
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
The frequency will increase.
Explanation: The sickle‑cell (HbS) allele confers malaria resistance in heterozygotes (AS), so during a malaria outbreak heterozygotes have higher fitness and the allele is favored by selection. This raises the HbS allele frequency until a balanced (stable) equilibrium is reached (it does not necessarily go to fixation because homozygous SS individuals have reduced fitness).
Explanation: The sickle‑cell (HbS) allele confers malaria resistance in heterozygotes (AS), so during a malaria outbreak heterozygotes have higher fitness and the allele is favored by selection. This raises the HbS allele frequency until a balanced (stable) equilibrium is reached (it does not necessarily go to fixation because homozygous SS individuals have reduced fitness).
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