In tigers, a recessive allele of a particular gene causes both an absence of fur pigmentation (a white tiger) and a cross-eyed condition. If two phenotypically normal tigers that are heterozygous at this locus are mated, what percentage of their offspring will be cross-eyed? What percentage of cross-eyed tigers will be white?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the problem. In this case, we are dealing with a recessive allele that causes two traits: absence of fur pigmentation (white tigers) and a cross-eyed condition. The tigers in question are heterozygous, meaning they carry one dominant and one recessive allele. The dominant allele is for normal pigmentation and eye condition, while the recessive allele is for white fur and cross-eyed condition.
2. Step 2: Use the Punnett square to predict the genotypes of the offspring. Since both parents are heterozygous (let's denote the dominant allele as 'A' and the recessive allele as 'a'), the Punnett square will look like this: AA, Aa, aA, aa. This means that 25% of the offspring will be homozygous dominant (AA), 50% will be heterozygous (Aa or aA), and 25% will be homozygous recessive (aa).
3. Step 3: Determine the percentage of offspring that will be cross-eyed. Since the cross-eyed condition is caused by the recessive allele, only the homozygous recessive offspring (aa) will be cross-eyed. According to the Punnett square, this is 25% of the offspring.
4. Step 4: Determine the percentage of cross-eyed tigers that will be white. Since the white fur and cross-eyed condition are caused by the same recessive allele, all cross-eyed tigers will also be white. Therefore, 100% of cross-eyed tigers will be white.
5. Step 5: Summarize the results. 25% of the offspring will be cross-eyed and white, and 100% of cross-eyed tigers will be white.