why is it that a frequency of an allele (for example a recessive allele) decreases over generation rather than just disappears from the population?
2007-04-28 13:17:28 · 3 answers · asked by qwerty_123 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
If the allele isn't immediately fatal and doesn't interfere with reproduction, then the individual bearing the allele may live long enough to reproduce, and thus the allele will continue on in the population.
But - alleles can be eliminated from a population. My favorite example is blondness in China. Blondes in China have traditionally been unable to marry, and thus, over centuries, the alleles for blondness have been all but elimintated in China.
2007-04-28 15:53:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's an allele that causes a disease, then its frequency might decrease, but the heterozygous individuals won't have the disease and will live to possibly pass on the gene to their offspring.
2007-04-28 20:30:09 · answer #2 · answered by ecolink 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The fact a gene is recessive does not mean it will be inherited less; it means it will be EXPRESSED less than the dominant allele.
2007-04-28 20:21:16 · answer #3 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋