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Multiple Choice
In sex-linked inheritance, is a cat with three colors of spots more likely to be male or female?
A
Equally likely to be male or female
B
Depends on the breed
C
Male
D
Female
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that sex-linked inheritance refers to genes located on sex chromosomes, which in mammals are X and Y chromosomes.
Recognize that in cats, the gene responsible for fur color is located on the X chromosome. This gene can have different alleles, such as those for black or orange fur.
Realize that female cats have two X chromosomes (XX), allowing them to potentially have two different alleles for fur color, leading to a combination of colors, such as black and orange spots.
Note that male cats have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), meaning they can only have one allele for fur color, typically resulting in a single color of spots.
Conclude that a cat with three colors of spots is more likely to be female, as the presence of two X chromosomes allows for the expression of multiple fur color alleles.