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
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage
Crossing Over and Recombinants
Problem 18
Textbook Question
In Drosophila, two mutations, Stubble (Sb) and curled (cu), are linked on chromosome III. Stubble is a dominant gene that is lethal in a homozygous state, and curled is a recessive gene. If a female of the genotype

is to be mated to detect recombinants among her offspring, what male genotype would you choose as a mate?

1
Step 1: Understand the genetic context of the problem. Stubble (Sb) is a dominant gene that is lethal in a homozygous state (Sb/Sb), meaning individuals with two copies of the Sb allele will not survive. Curled (cu) is a recessive gene, meaning its phenotype will only be expressed in individuals who are homozygous recessive (cu/cu). Both genes are linked on chromosome III, which means they are physically close to each other and may not assort independently during meiosis.
Step 2: Consider the goal of the experiment. The goal is to detect recombinants among the offspring. Recombinants are individuals whose genotypes differ from the parental combinations due to crossing over during meiosis. To detect recombinants, you need to mate the female with a male whose genotype allows for clear identification of recombination events.
Step 3: Choose a male genotype that complements the female genotype. The male should be homozygous recessive for both genes (sb/cu) to ensure that any offspring displaying dominant traits (Sb or Cu) must have inherited those alleles from the female. This setup allows for easy identification of recombinants based on phenotypic ratios.
Step 4: Explain why this choice is effective. By using a male with the genotype sb/cu, you create a situation where the offspring's phenotypes directly reflect the alleles inherited from the female. This simplifies the detection of recombination events because the male contributes only recessive alleles, making it easier to distinguish between parental and recombinant genotypes.
Step 5: Prepare for analysis of offspring phenotypes. After mating the female with the chosen male, analyze the offspring's phenotypes to determine the frequency of recombinants. This involves categorizing the offspring based on their phenotypes and comparing the observed ratios to the expected parental and recombinant ratios.

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
4mPlay a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Gene Linkage
Gene linkage refers to the tendency of genes located close to each other on the same chromosome to be inherited together during meiosis. In this case, the Stubble (Sb) and curled (cu) mutations are linked on chromosome III, which affects the inheritance patterns observed in the offspring. Understanding linkage is crucial for predicting the outcomes of genetic crosses.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Chi Square and Linkage
Dominant and Recessive Alleles
Dominant alleles are expressed in the phenotype even when only one copy is present, while recessive alleles require two copies to manifest. In this scenario, Stubble (Sb) is a dominant allele that is lethal in homozygous form, meaning individuals with two copies do not survive. Recognizing the dominance and lethality of alleles is essential for determining viable offspring genotypes.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Variations on Dominance
Recombination
Recombination is the process during meiosis where genetic material is exchanged between homologous chromosomes, leading to new allele combinations in offspring. This is important for detecting recombinants, as it can reveal the linkage relationships between genes. Choosing a male genotype that maximizes the chance of recombination will help identify the genetic makeup of the offspring.
Recommended video:
Guided course
Recombination after Single Strand Breaks
Related Videos
Related Practice
Textbook Question
What two essential criteria must be met in order to execute a successful mapping cross?
466
views