They are related but not identical. Genotype frequency is the frequency in the population of a specific genotype (say AA) whereas allele frequency is the percentage of A alleles in the population, regardless of genotype.
Genotype frequency and allele frequency are two different measures used in population genetics to describe the distribution of genetic variations in a population. Here's the difference between the two:
1. Genotype frequency:
- Genotype frequency refers to the proportion of individuals in a population that have a particular genotype.
- In genetics, a genotype represents the combination of alleles an individual possesses for a specific gene or genetic locus.
- Genotype frequency is usually expressed as a percentage or proportion, representing the number of individuals with a specific genotype divided by the total number of individuals in the population.
For example, if we have a population of 100 individuals and 25 individuals have the genotype AA, 50 individuals have the genotype Aa, and 25 individuals have the genotype aa, the genotype frequencies would be: AA = 25/100 = 0.25, Aa = 50/100 = 0.50, and aa = 25/100 = 0.25.
2. Allele frequency:
- Allele frequency refers to the proportion of a specific allele in a population's gene pool.
- An allele is one of the alternative forms of a gene found at a particular genetic locus.
- Allele frequency is also expressed as a percentage or proportion, representing the number of copies of a specific allele divided by the total number of alleles for that gene in the population.
Continuing from the previous example, if the gene in question has two alleles, A and a, and we have 200 alleles in total (2 alleles per individual in a diploid organism), the allele frequencies would be: A = (2 * 25 + 50) / 200 = 0.50 and a = (2 * 25 + 50) / 200 = 0.50.
In summary, genotype frequency describes the proportion of individuals with a specific genotype in the population, while allele frequency describes the proportion of a particular allele in the population's gene pool. These frequencies are crucial in studying population genetics, genetic diversity, and inheritance patterns.