A 'wrongful birth' case was recently brought before a court in which a child with Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome was born to apparently healthy parents. This syndrome is characterized by a cluster of birth defects including cleft palate, and an array of problems with the reproductive and urinary organs. Originally considered by their physician as having a nongenetic basis, the parents decided to have another child, who was also born with Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome. In the role of a genetic counselor, instruct the court about what occurred, including the probability of the parents having two affected offspring, knowing that the disorder is inherited as a recessive trait. Calculate the probability that both the male and female are carriers for TSD.
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
Probability and Genetics
Problem 27b
Textbook Question
In pea plants, plant height, seed shape, and seed color are governed by three independently assorting genes. The three genes have dominant and recessive alleles, with tall (T) dominant to short (t), round (R) dominant to wrinkled (r), and yellow (G) dominant to green (g).
What proportion of the F2 are expected to be tall, wrinkled, yellow? ttRRGg?

1
Step 1: Understand the problem. The question involves three independently assorting genes, each with dominant and recessive alleles. We are tasked with finding the proportion of F₂ offspring with the genotype ttRRGg, which corresponds to tall (tt), wrinkled (RR), and yellow (Gg).
Step 2: Apply Mendel's laws of inheritance. Since the genes assort independently, calculate the probability of each genotype separately and then multiply the probabilities together to find the overall proportion.
Step 3: Determine the probability of the 'tt' genotype. In a monohybrid cross (Tt × Tt), the offspring genotype probabilities are 1/4 TT, 1/2 Tt, and 1/4 tt. Therefore, the probability of 'tt' is 1/4.
Step 4: Determine the probability of the 'RR' genotype. In a monohybrid cross (Rr × Rr), the offspring genotype probabilities are 1/4 RR, 1/2 Rr, and 1/4 rr. Therefore, the probability of 'RR' is 1/4.
Step 5: Determine the probability of the 'Gg' genotype. In a monohybrid cross (Gg × Gg), the offspring genotype probabilities are 1/4 GG, 1/2 Gg, and 1/4 gg. Therefore, the probability of 'Gg' is 1/2. Multiply the probabilities of 'tt', 'RR', and 'Gg' together to find the overall proportion of F₂ offspring with the genotype ttRRGg.

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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 includes concepts such as dominant and recessive alleles, which determine the expression of traits. In this context, tall (T) is dominant over short (t), round (R) over wrinkled (r), and yellow (G) over green (g). Understanding these principles is crucial for predicting the inheritance patterns in offspring.
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Descriptive Genetics
Independent Assortment
The principle of independent assortment states that alleles for different traits segregate independently of one another during gamete formation. This means that the inheritance of one trait does not affect the inheritance of another. In the case of the pea plants, the genes for height, seed shape, and seed color assort independently, allowing for a variety of combinations in the offspring, which is essential for calculating the expected proportions of phenotypes.
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Punnett Square
A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from a genetic cross. By organizing the alleles of the parents, it allows for a visual representation of all possible combinations in the F₂ generation. In this scenario, constructing a Punnett square for the traits of height, seed shape, and seed color will help determine the expected proportion of offspring that are tall, wrinkled, and yellow.
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