Suppose a genotype for a protein-producing gene can have any combination of three alleles, A₁, A₂, and A₃.

List all the possible genotypes involving these three alleles.

Key Concepts

Alleles

Alleles are different versions of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome. In this case, the alleles A₁, A₂, and A₃ represent variations of a gene responsible for producing a particular protein. Each individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent, which can be the same (homozygous) or different (heterozygous).

Genotype

A genotype refers to the specific combination of alleles that an individual possesses for a particular gene. In the context of the question, the genotypes can be formed by combining the three alleles A₁, A₂, and A₃ in various ways, leading to different genetic expressions. Understanding genotypes is crucial for predicting phenotypic outcomes and inheritance patterns.

Combinatorial Genetics

Combinatorial genetics involves calculating all possible combinations of alleles to determine potential genotypes. With three alleles, the combinations can include homozygous (e.g., A₁A₁) and heterozygous (e.g., A₁A₂, A₁A₃, A₂A₃) forms. This concept is essential for listing all possible genotypes, as it helps in understanding genetic diversity and inheritance mechanisms.