If the mutation rate to a new allele is 10 –5, assuming there is no migration, how large must isolated populations be to prevent chance differentiation among them in the frequency of this allele? Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a critical enzyme involved in the metabolism of glucose, especially in red blood cells. Deficiencies in the enzyme are the most common human enzyme defect and occur at a high frequency in certain populations of East African children.
a. Offer one hypothesis for the high incidence of G6PD mutations in East African children.
b. How would you test your hypothesis further?
c. Scores of different G6PD mutations affecting en- zyme function have been found in human populations. Offer one explanation for the abundance of different G6PD mutations.
