Hardy Weinberg Derivation

[JJROBSON]

Hi all,

 

For an upcoming third year uni genetics exam in a past paper I was asked to derive the Hardy-Weinberg equation for two alleles in the population.

Whilst I can use the equation no problem I've never been asked to derive it before.. If someone could walk me through some simple (as possible) steps that would be very much appreciated!

 

Thanks all!

 

A stressed biochemist.

[John Cuthber]

Have you seen this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardy%E2%80%93Weinberg_principle#Derivation

 

Which bits are you struggling with?

[JJROBSON]

Have you seen this?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardy%E2%80%93Weinberg_principle#Derivation

 

Which bits are you struggling with?

Yeah I did have a look at that, the bit that I'm struggling with is how to go about/lay out an answer for the question "derive the Hardy-Weinberg equation for two alleles in the population."

Is it sufficient to simply lay out a punnett square and then derive the equation as a function of p and q from the square, explaining the binomial expansion of (p+q)^2 = 1?

I realise that's a hard question to answer without knowledge of how the exam as marked but your personal opinion is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!