In Drosophila melanogaster, the gene for eye color is located on the X chromosome. The allele for red eye color (X^w+) is dominant over the allele for white eye color (X^w). You examine a vial of 100 flies that are all offspring from a single genetic cross. You find both red-eyed females and white-eyed females as well as both red-eyed males and white-eyed males. The genotypes of the parents were ____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To produce both red-eyed and white-eyed offspring of both sexes, one parent must carry both the dominant (red) and recessive (white) alleles, and the other parent must carry the recessive allele and have a Y chromosome (indicating it is male). Choice B reflects this scenario, with the female parent heterozygous for eye color (carrying both red and white alleles) and the male parent carrying the white allele and a Y chromosome.

In Drosophila Melanogaster, the Gene for Eye Color Is Located