Blue moon beans produce beans that are either the dominant color blue or the recessive color white. The bean pods for this species always contain four seeds each. If two heterozygous plants that each have the Bb genotype are crossed, what are the predicted frequencies of each of the five outcome classes for combinations of blue and white seeds in pods?
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
Monohybrid Cross
Problem 28b
Textbook Question
A variety of pea plant called Blue Persian produces a tall plant with blue seeds. A second variety of pea plant called Spanish Dwarf produces a short plant with white seed. The two varieties are crossed, and the resulting seeds are collected. All of the seeds are white; and when planted, they produce all tall plants. These tall F₁ plants are allowed to self-fertilize. The results for seed color and plant stature in the F₂ generation are as follows:
F₂ Plant Phenotype Number
Blue seed, tall plant. 97
White seed, tall plant 270
Blue seed, short plant 33
White seed, short plant 100
TOTAL 500
What is the expected distribution of phenotypes in the F₂ generation?

1
Step 1: Identify the parental phenotypes and genotypes. The Blue Persian variety produces tall plants with blue seeds, while the Spanish Dwarf variety produces short plants with white seeds. Assume that tall (T) is dominant to short (t) and white seeds (W) are dominant to blue seeds (w).
Step 2: Analyze the F₁ generation. The cross between the two parental varieties results in all tall plants with white seeds. This suggests that the F₁ generation is heterozygous for both traits (TtWw), as the dominant traits (tall and white) are expressed.
Step 3: Predict the F₂ generation using a dihybrid cross. Perform a Punnett square for the two traits (Tt x Tt for plant height and Ww x Ww for seed color). This will result in a 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio for the F₂ generation, assuming independent assortment.
Step 4: Assign the phenotypes to the expected ratios. The 9:3:3:1 ratio corresponds to the following phenotypes: 9 tall plants with white seeds, 3 tall plants with blue seeds, 3 short plants with white seeds, and 1 short plant with blue seeds.
Step 5: Calculate the expected numbers for each phenotype. Multiply the total number of F₂ plants (500) by the proportions from the 9:3:3:1 ratio. For example, the expected number of tall plants with white seeds is (9/16) * 500, and so on for the other phenotypes.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Mendelian Genetics
Mendelian genetics is the study of how traits are inherited through generations, based on the principles established by Gregor Mendel. It involves understanding dominant and recessive alleles, where dominant traits mask the expression of recessive ones. In this scenario, the tall plant and white seed traits are likely dominant, influencing the phenotype ratios observed in the F₂ generation.
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Descriptive Genetics
Phenotypic Ratios
Phenotypic ratios represent the relative frequencies of different phenotypes in a given generation. In Mendelian inheritance, the F₂ generation typically exhibits a 9:3:3:1 ratio for two traits when both parents are heterozygous. Analyzing the provided data will help determine if the observed ratios align with expected Mendelian ratios, indicating the inheritance patterns of the traits.
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Mutations and Phenotypes
Genotype and Phenotype
The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while the phenotype is the observable expression of that genotype influenced by environmental factors. In this case, the F₁ generation's genotype leads to tall plants, but the F₂ generation reveals a variety of phenotypes, indicating the segregation of alleles and the interaction between different traits, such as seed color and plant height.
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Gamete Genotypes
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