In a particular insect species, sex is determined by a single gene - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2002 - Paper 1
Question 3
In a particular insect species, sex is determined by a single gene. The male insect has the genotype Mm and the female insect is mm. This gene is linked to another g... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In a particular insect species, sex is determined by a single gene - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2002 - Paper 1
Step 1
What is meant by linked genes?
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Answer
Linked genes are genes that are located close to each other on the same chromosome and tend to be inherited together. Due to their proximity, they have a lower likelihood of being separated during recombination in meiosis compared to genes that are further apart.
Step 2
How many map units apart are the genes for body colour and sex determination?
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Answer
The genes for body colour and sex determination are 37 map units apart, as indicated by the ratio of offspring classes. The distance in map units can be determined using the formula:
ext{Percentage of recombinant offspring} = rac{ ext{Number of recombinants}}{ ext{Total offspring}} imes 100
In this case, the number of recombinants is 6 (3 bronze males + 3 black females) from a total of 100 offspring.
Step 3
Using the symbol B for the allele for black body, and b for bronze body colour, write down the genotype for a homozygous black female.
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Answer
The genotype for a homozygous black female is BB.
Step 4
bronze male
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The genotype for a bronze male is Mm. Since bronze is recessive, the male must have at least one dominant allele for black.
Step 5
Predict the phenotypes of the offspring that would be found in a cross between the two insects described in c.i. and c.ii.
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The offspring of the cross between a homozygous black female (BB) and a bronze male (Mm) would show the following phenotypes:
100% black body colour (all offspring will inherit at least one B allele from the black female).