Question

1. Red-green color blindness is an X-linked trait. In a population genetics study, 1,000 people (500 men and 500 women) were tested for this trait, and 35 men were found to be color blind. Use this information to compute the frequency of the allele for color blindness and the wild-type allele in this population, and estimate the expected number of carrier females.

Answer 1

The most common type of red-green colour perception defect is due to a mutation on the X-chromosome (i.e. a red-green colour blind allele).X-linked red-colour blindness is a recessive trait. Females heterozygous for this trait have normal vision.