Describe how nondisjunction in human female gametes can give rise to Klinefelter and Turner syndrome offspring following fertilization by a normal male gamete.
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
6. Chromosomal Variation
Chromosomal Mutations: Aneuploidy
Problem 12
Textbook Question
An attached-X female fly, XXY, expresses the recessive X-linked white-eye mutation. It is crossed to a male fly that expresses the X-linked recessive miniature-wing mutation. Determine the outcome of this cross in terms of sex, eye color, and wing size of the offspring.

1
Understand the genetic setup: The female fly is XXY, where one X chromosome carries the white-eye mutation (w) and the other X chromosome is normal. The male fly has one X chromosome with the miniature-wing mutation (m) and a Y chromosome. Both mutations are recessive and X-linked.
Determine the gametes produced by the parents: The XXY female can produce gametes with either X(w), X(normal), or Y. The male can produce gametes with either X(m) or Y.
Perform a Punnett square: Cross the gametes from the female (X(w), X(normal), Y) with the gametes from the male (X(m), Y). This will give all possible combinations of offspring genotypes.
Analyze the offspring genotypes: For each combination, determine the sex of the offspring (XX = female, XY = male) and whether they express the white-eye or miniature-wing mutations. Remember that both mutations are recessive, so they will only be expressed if the offspring has no normal allele for that trait.
Summarize the phenotypes: Based on the genotypes, describe the offspring in terms of their sex, eye color (white or red), and wing size (miniature or normal).

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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 the pattern of inheritance for genes located on the X chromosome. In this case, traits such as eye color and wing size are determined by recessive alleles on the X chromosome. Males, having one X and one Y chromosome, are more likely to express X-linked recessive traits since they have no second X chromosome to mask the recessive allele.
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Genotype and Phenotype
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the observable expression of that genotype. In the context of the question, the genotypes of the parent flies (XXY and XY) will determine the phenotypes of the offspring, including their sex, eye color, and wing size. Understanding how genotypes translate into phenotypes is crucial for predicting the outcomes of genetic crosses.
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Punnett Square
A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genetic outcomes of a cross between two organisms. By organizing the possible gametes from each parent, it allows for the visualization of potential genotypes and phenotypes of the offspring. In this scenario, constructing a Punnett square will help determine the ratios of male and female offspring, as well as their eye color and wing size based on the parental genotypes.
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