Question

Difficulty: Very hardMendel's First Law and Monohybrid Inheritance

In cattle, coat color is determined by a single gene exhibiting complete dominance, where the allele for black coat (BB) is dominant over the allele for red coat (bb). Match each monohybrid cross scenario with its correct genotypic or phenotypic outcome outcome/deduction.

  • Cross between a heterozygous black bull (BbBb) and a red cow (bbbb)Phenotypic ratio of 11 black : 11 red (50%50\% black, 50%50\% red)
  • Cross between two heterozygous black cattle (Bb×BbBb \times Bb)Genotypic ratio of 1 BB:2 Bb:1 bb1\ BB : 2\ Bb : 1\ bb yielding a 3:13 : 1 phenotypic ratio
  • Cross between a homozygous black bull (BBBB) and a heterozygous black cow (BbBb)Genotypic ratio of 1 BB:1 Bb1\ BB : 1\ Bb with 100%100\% black phenotype
  • Test cross of an individual with dominant phenotype producing 100%100\% black offspringDeduction that the tested black parent has a homozygous dominant (BBBB) genotype

Answer

The monohybrid cross scenarios match their expected outcomes as follows: The cross between a heterozygous black bull and a red cow yields a phenotypic ratio of 1 black : 1 red; the cross between two heterozygous black cattle yields a genotypic ratio of 1 BB : 2 Bb : 1 bb; the cross between a homozygous black bull and a heterozygous black cow produces a genotypic ratio of 1 BB : 1 Bb (100% black); and a test cross producing 100% black offspring leads to the deduction that the tested parent is homozygous dominant (BB).
Each monohybrid inheritance scenario follows Mendel's First Law (Law of Segregation). Gametes segregate cleanly during meiosis, recombining in predictable frequencies: a heterozygous backcross (Bb×bbBb \times bb) yields equal proportions of black and red progeny (1:11:1); two heterozygotes (Bb×BbBb \times Bb) yield the classic 1 BB:2 Bb:1 bb1\ BB : 2\ Bb : 1\ bb genotypic ratio (3:13:1 phenotype); a dominant homozygote crossed with a heterozygote (BB×BbBB \times Bb) yields equal proportions of BBBB and BbBb (100%100\% black); and a test cross yielding zero recessive phenotypes confirms homozygosity of the dominant parent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the cross Bb×bbBb \times bb
Gametes from BbBb are BB (50%50\%) and bb (50%50\%). Gametes from bbbb are all bb (100%100\%). Offspring genotypes are 50% Bb50\%\ Bb (black coat) and 50% bb50\%\ bb (red coat).
Demonstrates a standard testcross ratio of 1:11 : 1 for phenotypes.
2
Analyze the cross Bb×BbBb \times Bb
Punnett square analysis gives 25% BB25\%\ BB, 50% Bb50\%\ Bb, and 25% bb25\%\ bb.
This confirms Mendel's classic monohybrid F2 genotypic ratio of 1 BB:2 Bb:1 bb1\ BB : 2\ Bb : 1\ bb and phenotypic ratio of 3:13 : 1.
3
Analyze the cross BB×BbBB \times Bb
The homozygous dominant parent provides only BB alleles. Offspring genotypes are 50% BB50\%\ BB and 50% Bb50\%\ Bb. All offspring display the black coat phenotype.
This matches the genotypic ratio 1 BB:1 Bb1\ BB : 1\ Bb with 100%100\% dominant phenotype.
4
Analyze the test cross principle for an unknown dominant phenotype
Crossing B_B\_ with bbbb gives bbbb offspring only if the parent carries a hidden bb allele. Receiving 100%100\% dominant offspring confirms the parent is BBBB.
Confirms the diagnostic utility of test crosses for establishing zygosity.

Key Concept

Mendel's Law of Segregation and Monohybrid Genotypic/Phenotypic Ratios
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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