If a population is in hardy–weinberg equilibrium, when is the number of heterozygotes at its most? a) when the frequency of dominant alleles is more than the frequency of recessive alleles b) when the frequency of dominant alleles is equal to the frequency of recessive alleles c) when the frequency of dominant alleles is less than the frequency of recessive alleles

B) when the frequency of dominant alleles is equal to the frequency of recessive alleles

Explanation:

The equation for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium is:

;

where p=frequency of dominant alleles; q=frequency of recessive alleles and 2pq is the number of heterozygotes.

So, in order to maximize 2pq, p must be equal to q, and because p-q=1, we can conclude that 2pq max = 2*0.5*0.5=0.5 or 50%

A) when the frequency of dominant alleles is more than the frequency of recessive alleles: Homozygous dominant will be prevalent

C) when the frequency of dominant alleles is less than the frequency of recessive alleles: Homozygous recessive will be prevalent