Two true-breeding stocks of pea plants are crossed. One parent has red, axial flowers and the other has white, terminal flowers; all F1 individuals have red, axial flowers. The genes for flower color and location assort independently. Among the F2 offspring of a dihybrid cross, what is the probability of plants with white axial flowers?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The probability of white axial flowers can be calculated using the principles of independent assortment. Since all F1 individuals have red, axial flowers, red and axial are dominant traits. For F2 offspring to have white axial flowers, they must inherit a recessive allele for flower color (white) and a dominant allele for flower position (axial). The probability of inheriting the recessive white allele is 1/4 (since the genotype must be ww), and the probability of inheriting the dominant axial allele is 3/4 (since the genotype can be AA or Aa). Multiplying these probabilities gives 1/4 * 3/4 = 3/16.

Two True-Breeding Stocks of Pea Plants Are Crossed