Question

Suppose "A" is a dominant gene for the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide and "a" is a recessive gene for the inability to taste it. Which couples could possibly have both a child who tastes it and a child who does not?​

Answer 1

Complete question:

Suppose "A" is a dominant gene for the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide and "a" is a recessive gene for the inability to taste it. Which couples could possibly have both a child who tastes it and a child who does not?​

a. father AA, mother aa

b. father Aa, mother AA

c. father Aa, mother Aa

d. father AA, mother AA

Answer:

c. father Aa, mother Aa

Explanation:

According to the given information, the ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide is a dominant trait and is imparted by the allele "A". This phenotype would be expressed in both homozygous and heterozygous conditions. The non-taster phenotype would be expressed in the homozygous recessive genotypes only.  

To have both taster and non-taster children, both the parents should have at least one copy of the recessive allele. Among the given options, the father with genotype Aa and the mother with genotype Aa have the possibility to have both taster and non-taster children.

Aa x Aa= 3/4 taster (1/4 AA and 1/2 Aa): 1/4 non-taster (1/4 aa)