Mendelian genetic problems

• In a cross between a black and a white guinea pig, all

members of the F1 generation are black. The F2
generation is made up of approximately ¾ black and ¼
white guinea pigs. Diagram this cross an show the
genotypes and phenotypes.
– BB- black bb- white Bb=black
F1 b b F2 B b

B B
Bb Bb BB Bb
Bb Bb Bb bb
B b

100% Bb, 100% black ¼ BB. ¼ bb and ½ Bb

¾ Black and ¼ white
 Mendelian genetic problems

• Albinism in humans is inherited as a s simple recessive

trait. Determine the genotypes of the parents in the
following families:

– Two non albino parents have five children, four

normal and 1 albino = Aa x Aa

– A normal male and an albino female have 6 normal

children = mom (aa), dad (AA or Aa?)
 Mendelian genetic problems

• In a problem involving albinism which of

Mendel’s postulate are demonstrated?

– The first three postulates can apply, however

it is a clear example of segregation.
 Segregation vs. Independent Assortment

• Segregation
• Diploid germ-line cells of sexually reproducing
species contain two copies of almost every
chromosomal gene.

• The two copies are located on members of a

homologous chromosome pair.

• During meiosis, the two copies separate, so that a

gamete receives only one copy of each gene.
 Segregation vs. Independent Assortment

• Independent assortment
• When the alleles of two different genes separate
during meiosis.

• They do so independently of one another.

• Unless the genes are located on the same

chromosome (linked).
 Mendelian genetic problems

• Diagram the cross in problem 6 through the F2

generation using Punnett square and forked-line
method.
 What happens to F2?
YyRr x YyRr
Possible gametes:
YR Yr yR yr
• YR YR YYRR YYRr YyRR YyRr
• Yr Yr YYRr YYrr YyRr Yyrr
• yR yR YyRR YyRr yyRR yyRr
• yr yr YyRr Yyrr yyRr yyrr

9/16 yellow and round 3/16 green and round

3/16 yellow and wrinkled 1/16 green and wrinkled
The Forked-line Method
 What is it?
• Another way to predict genotype and phenotype
ratios in dihybrid problems.

• You don’t have to write a Punnett Square.

• It requires you to know the basic ratios that arise

from monohybrid crosses.

• In a dihybrid cross, the two traits sort

INDEPENDENTLY of one another.
Use the following dihybrid cross:

PpYy x PpYy

Use of two simple concepts:

1. The traits (flower color and seed color) sort out independently of each
other.
2. There are essentially only three different ratios that can result in a
monohybrid cross.

homozyg x homozyg: PP x PP -----------> 100% PP

1
or pp x pp -–-----------------------------------------> 100% pp

heterozyg x homozyg: Pp x PP -----------> ½ Pp, ½ PP

2
or Pp x pp ---------------------------------------------> ½ Pp, ½ PP

3 heterozyg x heterozyg: Pp x Pp: ¼ PP; ½ Pp; ¼ pp

 PpYy x PpYy

so to solve this dihybrid, separate the two traits (since they sort independently):

Pp x Pp will give:

¼ PP

½ Pp

¼ pp
 PpYy x PpYy

so to solve this dihybrid, separate the two traits (since they sort independently):

Pp x Pp will give: similarly, ¼ YY

Yy x Yy will give:
½ Yy
¼ yy

¼ PP

½ Pp

¼ pp
 PpYy x PpYy

so to solve this dihybrid, separate the two traits (since they sort independently):

Yy x Yy will give: ¼ YY
Pp x Pp will give: ½ Yy
¼ yy

¼ YY
multiply fractions
1/16 PPYY
¼ PP ½ Yy 1/8 PPYY
¼ yy 1/16 PPYY

½ Pp

¼ pp
 PpYy x PpYy

so to solve this dihybrid, separate the two traits (since they sort independently):

Pp x Pp will give:

¼ YY
multiply fractions
1/16 PPYY
¼ PP ½ Yy 1/8 PPYy
¼ yy 1/16 PPyy

¼ YY 1/8 PpYY
½ Pp ½ Yy 1/4 PpYy
¼ yy 1/8 Ppyy

¼ YY 1/16 ppYY
¼ pp ½ Yy 1/8 ppYy
¼ yy 1/16 ppyy
 PpYy x PpYy

so to solve this dihybrid, separate the two traits (since they sort independently):

convert all to
Pp x Pp will give:
16ths for
consistency

¼ YY
multiply fractions
1/16 PPYY 1/16
¼ PP ½ Yy 1/8 PPYy 2/16
¼ yy 1/16 PPyy 1/16
¼ YY 1/8 PpYY 2/16
½ Pp ½ Yy 1/4 PpYy 4/16
¼ yy 1/8 Ppyy 2/16
¼ YY 1/16 ppYY 1/16
¼ pp ½ Yy 1/8 ppYy 2/16
¼ yy 1/16 ppyy 1/16
Remember to identify the phenotype ratios as well.
 Mendelian genetic problems

• Are any of the crosses in problem 3-2 a

test cross?
– Yes, c is a test cross.

– Test cross = An unknown genotype is

crossed with a homozygous recessive
individual.
 Testcross
• Can you determine the genotype of the F1
generation if F2 consists of 4 purple
plants?
P = purple (dominant)

p = white (recessive)
 Mendelian genetic problems

• Which of Mendel’s postulates can be

demonstrated in the Problem 3-2 vs. problem 2?

– Independent assortment
 Mendelian genetic problems

• Correlate Mendel’s four postulates with what is

known about homologous chromosomes, genes,
alleles and the process of meiosis.

– This answer requires knowledge of meiosis. I will ask

you to answer this question after meiosis lecture.