Title: Understanding Mendelian Inheritance in Genetics
What are the probabilities of offspring having white flowers and axial flowers in monohybrid crosses?
- The probability of offspring having white flowers in a monohybrid cross (pp x pp) is 1/4.
- The probability of offspring having axial flowers in a monohybrid cross (aa x aa) is 3/4.
Answer:
True, the probability of offspring having white flowers in a monohybrid cross (pp x pp) is 1/4. The probability of offspring having axial flowers in a monohybrid cross (aa x aa) is 3/4.
Mendelian inheritance is a fundamental concept in genetics that explains how traits are passed down from parents to offspring. It is based on the work of Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk who conducted experiments with pea plants in the 19th century.
According to Mendelian inheritance, certain traits are controlled by genes that occur in pairs. When offspring inherit two copies of the same gene, they are homozygous for that trait. In the case of white flowers (pp x pp), the offspring have a 1/4 chance of inheriting two copies of the recessive gene, resulting in white flowers.
On the other hand, axial flower position is a dominant trait. This means that if the offspring inherit at least one copy of the dominant allele (aa x aa), they will have axial flowers. The probability of this happening in a monohybrid cross is 3/4.
Understanding Mendelian inheritance and the probabilities of trait inheritance is essential for predicting the characteristics of offspring in genetic crosses. By studying these patterns, scientists can better comprehend the transmission of traits from one generation to the next.