Which condition leads to a high frequency of carrier states as calculated by the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

Which condition leads to a high frequency of carrier states as calculated by the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

• A. Beta thalassemia
• B. Alpha thalassemia
• C. Down syndrome
• D. Fragile X syndrome

Answer: (A)

Beta thalassemia leads to a high frequency of carrier states, which can be reflected in calculations using the Hardy-Weinberg equation. This condition is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects hemoglobin production. In certain populations, particularly those of Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent, there is an increased frequency of the beta thalassemia gene due to historical factors such as malaria prevalence, which has provided a selective advantage to carriers. Utilizing the Hardy-Weinberg principle, the carrier frequency can be calculated by using the frequency of the recessive allele in the population. For conditions like beta thalassemia, understanding the genetic epidemiology and how common the carrier state is within specific populations can help predict the potential impact on family planning and prenatal screening strategies. The other conditions listed do not exhibit the same patterns of carrier frequencies as beta thalassemia. For instance, alpha thalassemia typically has a more complex inheritance pattern and is also influenced by deletions in the alpha globin genes, while Down syndrome is primarily caused by nondisjunction during meiosis and does not have a carrier state. Fragile X syndrome is an X-linked condition influenced by a repeat expansion mutation and also does not present a carrier

Beta thalassemia leads to a high frequency of carrier states, which can be reflected in calculations using the Hardy-Weinberg equation. This condition is an autosomal recessive disorder that affects hemoglobin production. In certain populations, particularly those of Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian descent, there is an increased frequency of the beta thalassemia gene due to historical factors such as malaria prevalence, which has provided a selective advantage to carriers.

Utilizing the Hardy-Weinberg principle, the carrier frequency can be calculated by using the frequency of the recessive allele in the population. For conditions like beta thalassemia, understanding the genetic epidemiology and how common the carrier state is within specific populations can help predict the potential impact on family planning and prenatal screening strategies.

The other conditions listed do not exhibit the same patterns of carrier frequencies as beta thalassemia. For instance, alpha thalassemia typically has a more complex inheritance pattern and is also influenced by deletions in the alpha globin genes, while Down syndrome is primarily caused by nondisjunction during meiosis and does not have a carrier state. Fragile X syndrome is an X-linked condition influenced by a repeat expansion mutation and also does not present a carrier