The Most Likely Genotype for the Parents in a Cross Experiment

Genotype Determination in Crossbreeding

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, which determines its traits or characteristics. In a cross experiment involving mice with varying fur color and eye color, the genotype of the parents can be deduced based on the phenotype of the offspring.

Understanding the Offspring Phenotypes

The offspring produced from the cross were: - 10 mice with black fur, black eyes - 3 mice with white fur, black eyes - 2 mice with black fur, red eyes - 1 mouse with white fur, red eyes

Determining the Most Likely Genotype

Based on the phenotypes of the offspring, we can determine the most likely genotype for the parents. The presence of black and white fur, as well as black and red eyes, suggests that the parents must have been heterozygous for the genes controlling these traits.

Therefore, the most likely genotype for the parents in this cross experiment is BbEe x Bbee. This pairing would result in the observed variety of fur colors and eye colors in the offspring, confirming the genotype deduction.

Understanding the genetic basis of traits through crossbreeding experiments helps researchers and breeders predict and manipulate the characteristics of future generations.