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.
1 answer
The frequency of the recessive allele for the HbS gene will increase during an outbreak of malaria. This is because individuals who carry the HbS allele have a survival advantage in regions where malaria is prevalent, as sickle cell trait provides some level of protection against the disease. Over time, this can lead to an increase in the frequency of the HbS allele in the population.
1 answer