Question

A sexually reproducing animal has two unlinked genes (on separate chromosomes), one for head shape (H) and one for tail length (T). Its genotype is HhTt. Which of the following genotypes is possible in a gamete from this organism assuming no errors in meiosis?
a) HT
b) Hh
c) HhTt
d) T
e) tt

Answer 1

Answer:

a) HT

Explanation:

This question shows an animal with two distinct unlinked genes i.e. on different chromosomes. One gene codes for head shape and the other for tail length. The gene for head shape possess alleles H and h, while gene for tail length possess alleles T and t.

According to Mendel's law of independent assortment, the alleles of a gene will separate into gametes independently of the alleles of another gene. This occurs in such a way that each gamete will contain only one allele from a gene.

Based on this principle, an animal with genotype HhTt will undergo meiosis and randomly produce gametes with the following allelic combinations: HT, Ht, hT, and ht. As seen in the gametes, only one allele of a gene occured in a gamete at a time.

Therefore, HT is the genotype possible in a gamete of parent: HhTt.