Genetics 2018/19.

SEMINAR 1
Topic 2. Mendelian analysis

1. The p allele of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) produces a fine mottling
all over the body. This condition is called “peppery” and is recessive to the wild type
allele, which produces solid coloring. What are the expected genotype and phenotype
ratios among the offspring in each of these crosses:
a) a cross between two peppery cockroaches
b) a cross between two heterozygous cockroaches
c) a cross between a peppery and a heterozygote

2. The beetle Rhysopertha dominica is a harmful agricultural pest in Australia. Two loci
have been found which have recessive alleles that confer resistance to the insecticide
phosphine. Call the recessive alleles p5 and p6. When homozygous, allele p5 raises
the level of resistance to phosphine 50-fold, and when p6 is homozygous, it raises
resistance 12.5-fold. When both alleles are homozygous, phosphine resistance is
increased 250-fold. For each of these crosses, predict the resistance of the progeny in
F1 and F2 generations:
a) p6 p6 x P6 P6
b) p5 p5 x P5 P5
c) p5 p5 P6 P6 x P5 P5 p6 p6

3. Some very complicated crosses are being done involving 32 different loci in Equus
caballus (Perissodactyla, Equidae). Calculate the total number of different gametes that
could be produced by each of the following:
a) How many different sperm could a stallion produce that is homozygous for all 32
genes?
b) How many different eggs could a mare produce that is heterozygous for 3 genes and
homozygous for the other 29 genes?
c) How many different eggs could a mare produce that is heterozygous for 10 genes
and homozygous for the other 22 genes?
d) How many different sperm could a stallion produce that is heterozygous for all 32
genes?

4. A variety of pea plant called Blue Persian produces a tall plant with blue seeds. A
second variety of pea plant called Spanish Dwarf produces a short plant with white
seed. The two varieties are crossed, and the resulting seeds are collected. All of the
seeds are white; and when planted, they produce all tall plants. These tall F1 plants are
allowed to serf-fertilize. The results for seed color and plant stature in the F2 generation
are as follows:

F2 Plant phenotype Number

Blue seed, tall plant 97
White seed, tall plant 270
Blue seed, short plant 33
White seed, short plant 100
TOTAL 500

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 Genetics 2018/19. SEMINAR 1
Topic 2. Mendelian analysis

a. Which phenotypes are dominant and which are recessive? Why?

b. What is the expected distribution of phenotypes in the F2 generation?
c. State the hypothesis being tested in this experiment
d. Examine the data in the table by the chi-square test, and determine whether
they conform to expectations of the hypothesis.

5. A mutation in chickens results in extra bones in the wings and feet, a shortened beak
and an inability to hatch without help because they are unable to peck their way out of
the shell. The mutation is a recessive allele called d for “diplopodia”. A cross was done
involving diplopodia and another locus that controls feather color called “dominant
white”. The A allele results in white feathers, but a results in colored feathers. In a
particular cross, the offspring included 180 white chickens: 68 with colored feathers
and diplopodia; 166 with colored feathers; and 53 with white feathers and diplopodia.
Figure out the genotypes and phenotypes of the parents.

6. In Drosophila, gray body color is dominant over ebony body color, while long wings
are dominant over vestigial wings. Work the following crosses through the F2
generation and determine the genotypic and phenotypic ratios for each generation.
Assume that the P individuals are homozygous:
(a) gray, long x ebony, vestigial
(b) gray, vestigial x ebony,long
(c) gray, long x gray, vestigial

7. How many different types of gametes can be formed by individuals of the following
genotypes? Please write the genotype of each gamete.
(a) AaBb,
(b) AaBB,
(c) AaBbCc,
(d) AaBBcc,
(e) AaBbcc, and
(f) AaBbCcDdEe?

8. Using the forked line method, determine the genotypic and phenotypic ratios of
these trihybrid crosses:
(a) AaBbCc x AaBBCC
(b) AaBBCc x aaBBCc
(c) AaBbCc x AaBbCc

9. For the following pedigree, predict the mode of inheritance and the resulting
genotypes of each individual. Assume that one single locus with two alleles (A and a)
control the expression of the trait.

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 Genetics 2018/19. SEMINAR 1
Topic 2. Mendelian analysis

SOLUTIONS:
1.
a) pp x pp = pp. 100% peppery
b) Pp x Pp = ¼ PP, ½ Pp, ¼ pp; 3 wild: 1 peppery
c) pp x Pp = ½ Pp (wild), ½ pp (peppery

2.
a) F1: P6p6, all wild; F2: ¾ P6_ (wild), ¼ p6p6 (resistance 12.5X)
b) F1: P5p5, all wild; F2: ¾ P5_ (wild), ¼ p5p5 (resistnace 50X)
c) F1: P5p5 P6p6, all wild; F2: 9/16 P5_P6_ (wild), 3/16 p5p5 P6_ (resistance 50X), 3/16 P5_
p6p6 (resistance 12.5X), 1/16 p5p5 p6p6 (resistance 250X)

3.
a) 1
b) 8
c) 1024
d) 2,249,967,296.

4.
a) Tall and white are the dominant traits, whereas short and blue are recessive
b) 9/16 tall, white: 3/16 tall, blue; 3/16 short, white; and 1/16 short, blue.
c) the two pea plant varieties differ at two independently assorting genetic loci, and two alleles
show simple (=complete) dominance at each locus
d) The chi-square value calculated from the data equals 1.077. The results are consistent with
the null hypothesis and any discrepancy of observed and expected results is likely due to
chance.

5.
3 D_A_ white wild
1 dd aa colored diplopodia
3 dd A_ colored wild
1 D_ aa colored diplopodia

6.
E: gray > e: ebony
V: long > v: vestigial

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 Genetics 2018/19. SEMINAR 1
Topic 2. Mendelian analysis

a) EEVV x eevv
EeVv x EeVv
9: E_V_ gray long
3: E_vv gray vestigial
3: ee V_ ebony long
1: eevv ebony vestigial

b) EEvv x eeVV
EeVv x EeVv
9: E_V_ gray long
3: E_vv gray vestigial
3: ee V_ ebony long
1: eevv ebony vestigial

c) EEVV x EEvv
EEVv x EEVv
¾: EEV_ (gray long)
¼: Eevv (gray vestigial)

7.
a) 4
b) 2
c) 8
d) 2
e) 4
f) 32

8.
Only phenotype ratios are provided
a) ¼ of individuals will have phenotype aBC, whereas the others will be ABC
b) 3/8 of the individuals will have phenotype ABC, 1/8 Abc, 3/8 aBC, and 1/8 aBc
c) 27/64 ABC, 9/64 ABc, 9/64 AbC, 3/64 Abc, 9/64 aBC, 3/64 aBc, 3/64 abC, 1/64 abc

9.
Recessive autosomal
I1: Aa, I2: aa, I3: Aa, I4: Aa
II1: aa, II2: Aa, II3: aa, II4: Aa, II5: Aa, II6: aa, II7: A_, II8: A_
III1-3: A_, III4: aa, III5: AA, III6: aa
IV1-7: Aa