Using the information provided in Problems 10 and 11, determine the genotype and phenotype of parents that produce the following progeny:

3/8 black : 3/8 cream : 2/8 albino

Key Concepts

Genotype

Genotype refers to the genetic constitution of an organism, specifically the alleles it possesses for a particular trait. In this context, understanding the genotype is crucial for determining how the alleles combine to produce the observed phenotypes in the progeny. For example, if black and cream are dominant traits, the genotypes of the parents will influence the ratios of these traits in the offspring.

Phenotype

Phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by both its genotype and environmental factors. In the given problem, the phenotypes of the progeny (black, cream, and albino) indicate the expression of specific alleles. Analyzing the phenotypic ratios helps infer the possible genotypes of the parents that could lead to such offspring distributions.

Punnett Square

A Punnett Square is a diagram used to predict the genetic outcomes of a cross between two organisms. It allows for the visualization of how alleles from each parent combine to form the genotypes of the offspring. By setting up a Punnett Square based on the potential genotypes of the parents, one can calculate the expected phenotypic ratios, which is essential for solving the problem presented.