In Drosophila, the X-linked echinus eye phenotype disrupts formation of facets and is recessive to wild-type eye. Autosomal recessive traits vestigial wing and ebony body assort independently of one another. Examine the progeny from the three crosses shown below, and identify the genotype of parents in each cross.
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
Sex-Linked Genes
Problem 28a
Textbook Question
While vermilion is X-linked in Drosophila and causes the eye color to be bright red, brown is an autosomal recessive mutation that causes the eye to be brown. Flies carrying both mutations lose all pigmentation and are white-eyed. Predict the F₁ and F₂ results of the following crosses:
vermilion females x brown males

1
Step 1: Identify the genotypes of the parents. Vermilion is an X-linked mutation, so vermilion females will have the genotype \( X^v X^v \), where \( X^v \) represents the X chromosome carrying the vermilion mutation. Brown is an autosomal recessive mutation, so brown males will have the genotype \( bb \), where \( b \) represents the recessive brown allele.
Step 2: Determine the gametes produced by each parent. Vermilion females can produce gametes with \( X^v \) only, while brown males can produce gametes with \( b \) and \( Y \) (the Y chromosome does not carry the brown allele).
Step 3: Perform a Punnett square to predict the F₁ generation. Combine the gametes from the vermilion females and brown males. The F₁ offspring will have the following genotypes: \( X^v X^+ b \) (females) and \( X^v Y b \) (males), where \( X^+ \) represents a normal X chromosome.
Step 4: Analyze the phenotypes of the F₁ generation. Females will be heterozygous for the vermilion mutation (\( X^v X^+ \)) and heterozygous for the brown mutation (\( Bb \)), so they will have normal pigmentation. Males will carry the vermilion mutation (\( X^v \)) and be heterozygous for the brown mutation (\( Bb \)), so they will also have normal pigmentation.
Step 5: Predict the F₂ generation by crossing the F₁ individuals. Set up a Punnett square for the X-linked vermilion gene and a separate Punnett square for the autosomal brown gene. Combine the results to determine the genotypic and phenotypic ratios in the F₂ generation. Consider all combinations of \( X^v \), \( X^+ \), \( Y \), \( B \), and \( b \) to account for both mutations and their inheritance patterns.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
X-linked Inheritance
X-linked inheritance refers to genes located on the X chromosome. In Drosophila, traits such as vermilion eye color are determined by alleles on this chromosome. Males, having one X and one Y chromosome, express X-linked traits directly, while females, with two X chromosomes, can be carriers or express the trait depending on their alleles.
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Autosomal Recessive Inheritance
Autosomal recessive inheritance involves genes located on non-sex chromosomes (autosomes). For a trait to be expressed, an individual must inherit two copies of the recessive allele, one from each parent. In this case, the brown eye color in Drosophila is expressed only when both alleles are brown, leading to a brown-eyed phenotype.
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Punnett Square Analysis
A Punnett square is a tool used to predict the genotypic and phenotypic outcomes of genetic crosses. By organizing the alleles of the parents, it allows for the visualization of potential offspring combinations. This method is essential for determining the expected ratios of traits in the F₁ and F₂ generations resulting from the given crosses.
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