Gene frequency and genotypic frequency are both measures used to determine genetic relationships within a population, but they differ in what they specifically measure and how they evolve within the gene pool. Here are the key differences between the two: Gene Frequency: This refers to the relative frequency of a particular allele (a specific version of a gene) within a population. It is a measure of how common a specific gene or allele is within a population and can be either dominant or recessive.
Genotypic Frequency: This refers to the proportion of a specific genotype (a combination of alleles) within a population. It is a measure of how common a particular genotype, such as AA or Aa, is within a given population. The main difference between gene frequency and genotypic frequency lies in the factor that determines the frequency. In gene frequency, it is a gene or an allele that determines the frequency, while in genotypic frequency, it is a genotype that determines the frequency. Additionally, gene frequency evolves faster within a gene pool, while genotypic frequency evolves at a slower rate.