In: Biology
Beta-thalessemia is caused by mutations in the hemoglobin B gene
we discussed along with sickle cell anemia. There are some
anemia-causing mutations that are dominant while other mutations
act in a recessive manner. The anemia caused by either type can be
debilitating in affected genotypes and would be selected against in
areas which do not have malaria.
a) Assuming both forms of beta-thalessemia in the affected
genotypes show similar fitness relative to unaffected genotypes,
which type of allele (recessive or dominant) will disappear more
quickly from a population with a similar negative selection
coefficient (s)? Explain why there is a
difference.
b) Why would these mutations fail to disappear from a population in
an area that has malaria-infected mosquitoes? Why do allele
frequencies stabilize?