Question

The barley plant has seven pairs of chromosomes. For a gamete, the number of genetic combinations that are possible through independent assortment is _____. For a zygote produced by two barley parents, the number of possible genetic combinations is ________.
Answers:
1. 128
2. 16,384

I hope this helps.

Answer 1

Answer:

1. 128

2. 16,384

Explanation:

Imagine there were two pairs of chromosomes:

A paired with B

C paired with D

A gamete could have the following combinations:

A + C

A + D

B + C

B + D

Therefore, with two pairs of chromosomes, there are 4 (2²) possibilities

With seven pairs of chromosomes, there are  (2⁷) possibilities. 2⁷  = 128

For a zygote produced by two barley parents, there are two gametes fused. So we must multiply the number of combinations for each gamete. Therefore, number of possible genetic combinations is 128 x 128 = 16,384