Dihybrid Crosses

A genetic cross used to observe the inheritance

of alleles and phenotypes for two genes.

Unlinked genes – genes found on separate

chromosomes or far apart on the same
chromosome. They have less chance of being
inherited together.

Linked genes - genes that are found close

together on a chromosome and are likely to be
inherited together. During meiosis these are not
separated by independent assortment. They
can occasionally be separated by crossing over.

Gene linkage – the tendency of DNA sequences

that are close together on the same
chromosome to be inherited together.
 Method 1:

Linked dihybrid crosses

Dimples and cleft chin

Proportions of each potential genotypes
and phenotypes:
Possible genotypes: Possible phenotypes:

Whenever conducting a dihybrid cross with two

heterozygous individuals, the phenotypic ratio will
always be 9:3:3:1
Linked dihybrid crosses
Linked genes can be found in fruit flies, Drosophilia melanogaster. On their
chromosome 2 are three linked genes:
Body colour: B= grey, b = black
Eye colour: E = red, e = brown
Wing size: W = normal, w = vestigial

For unlinked genes we can consistently predict offspring genotypes and

phenotypes because all genes sort independently (we get nice ratios e.g. 1:1:1:1)
For linked genes, however, we can’t assume two alleles on the same
chromosome will end up in the same gamete because of crossing over.
 Chances of crossing over
Map units – the distance between two
genes on the same chromatid. Closer
together more likely to be linked.
Recombinant chromosome – not identical
to one of the homologous chromosomes in
a diploid cell.

The chances of crossing over are calculated

by using map units One map unit equals 1%
chance of crossing over and the offspring
containing a recombinant chromosome.
This means we can see strange ratios like
11.5:1:1:11.5 (This is a clue for identifying
linked genes along with the presence of
phenotypes not seen in the parents).
Body colour example: colour, these
genes are 8 map units apart, 8%
chance of crossing over, 8 in 100
gametes will contain a recombinant
chromosome. Therefore a 92% chance
that crossing over will occur that
results in a parental chromosome

Parental chromosome - a chromosome

which contains the same combination of
alleles as one of the parent’s
chromosomes).
Linked dihybrid
cross
Performed against a
homozygous recessive
individual (a test cross).