The gene frequency of an allele (a form of a gene) is equal to the number of alleles in a population compared to the total number (occurrence) of alleles of the gene that gene. The term gene dose refers to the number of copies of a gene that are present in any population's genome.

The frequency of alleles and the frequency of geneotypes are related within a mathematical equation known as the Hardy-Weinberg equation. The equation itself is written as p²+2pq+q²=1.

There are several different inheritance patterns associated with genetic disorders. Autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive are two of the most common. Chromosomes come in pairs, one from the ovum and one from the sperm. Autosomal dominant disorders require that a person inherit only one disease-causing allele in order to be affected. Even though the corresponding gene on the other chromosome in the pair...