Mendel crossed peas having round green seeds with peas having wrinkled yellow seeds. All F₁ plants had seeds that were round and yellow. Predict the results of testcrossing these F₁ plants.
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
Dihybrid Cross
Problem 17a
Textbook Question
In rats, the following genotypes of two independently assorting autosomal genes determine coat color:

A third gene pair on a separate autosome determines whether or not any color will be produced. The CC and Cc genotypes allow color according to the expression of the A and B alleles. However, the cc genotype results in albino rats regardless of the A and B alleles present. Determine the F₁ phenotypic ratio of the following crosses:
AAbbCC×aaBBcc

1
Determine the genotypes of the parents: The first parent is AAbbCC, and the second parent is aaBBcc. Note that the genes A and B are independently assorting, and the C gene determines whether color is expressed.
Determine the gametes produced by each parent: The first parent (AAbbCC) can produce gametes with the combinations AB and C. The second parent (aaBBcc) can produce gametes with the combinations aB and c.
Perform a Punnett square for the A and B genes: Cross the gametes from the first parent (AB) with the gametes from the second parent (aB). This will give the genotypes of the offspring for the A and B genes.
Determine the effect of the C gene: Since the first parent is CC (homozygous dominant) and the second parent is cc (homozygous recessive), all offspring will inherit one C allele and one c allele, resulting in the heterozygous genotype Cc. This means all offspring will express color based on their A and B genotypes.
Combine the results: Use the genotypes from the Punnett square for the A and B genes and the fact that all offspring are Cc to determine the phenotypic ratio. Recall that the phenotypes are determined as follows: A— B— (gray), A— bb (yellow), aaB— (black), and aabb (cream).

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Independent Assortment
Independent assortment is a fundamental principle of genetics stating that alleles for different genes segregate independently of one another during gamete formation. This means that the inheritance of one trait will not affect the inheritance of another, allowing for a variety of combinations in offspring. Understanding this concept is crucial for predicting the phenotypic ratios resulting from genetic crosses.
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Gamete Genetics and Independent Assortment
Epistasis
Epistasis occurs when the expression of one gene is affected by one or more other genes. In this case, the presence of the cc genotype masks the expression of the A and B alleles, resulting in an albino phenotype regardless of the other genes. Recognizing epistatic interactions is essential for accurately determining phenotypic outcomes in genetic crosses.
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Epistatic Genes
Phenotypic Ratio
The phenotypic ratio is the relative frequency of different phenotypes in the offspring resulting from a genetic cross. It is calculated based on the combinations of alleles inherited from the parents. In this scenario, determining the F₁ phenotypic ratio involves analyzing the contributions of the A, B, and C genes to the overall coat color of the offspring.
Recommended video:
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Mutations and Phenotypes
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