What are the predicted genotypes and phenotypes of the offspring when both parents in a certain species of animals have the genotype 'Bb' or heterozygous black fur?
Understanding Genotypes and Phenotypes
In a species of animal, the allele for black eyes is dominant to the allele for red eyes, and the allele for long fur is dominant to the allele for short fur. According to the provided data, the genotypes and phenotypes of the offspring can be predicted based on the alleles inherited from the parents.
When both parents have the genotype 'Bb' or heterozygous black fur, there are three possible genotypes that their offspring can inherit: BB, Bb, and bb. The genotype BB represents homozygous dominant black fur. The genotype Bb represents heterozygous black fur. The genotype bb represents homozygous recessive brown fur.
In terms of phenotype, animals with the genotypes BB and Bb will both display black fur because the black fur allele (B) is dominant over the brown fur allele (b). Only animals with the genotype bb will display brown fur. Therefore, the predicted genotype and phenotype of the offspring from two parents with the 'Bb' genotype would be as follows:
Genotypes: BB (25% chance), Bb (50% chance), bb (25% chance)
Phenotypes: Black fur (75% chance), Black fur (25% chance), Brown fur (25% chance)
This means that there is a 75% chance of the offspring having black fur and a 25% chance of the offspring having brown fur when both parents have the 'Bb' genotype.
Knowing the genotypes and phenotypes of the offspring can help in understanding the inheritance patterns of traits in a species and can be useful in breeding programs or genetic studies.