An organism having the genotype AaBbCcDdEe is self-fertilized. Assuming the five genes assort independently, determine the following proportions:

progeny that are expected to have a phenotype identical to that of the parent

Verified step by step guidance

1. <span>Step 1: Identify the phenotype of the parent organism. The parent has the genotype AaBbCcDdEe, which means it is heterozygous for all five genes. Assuming complete dominance, the phenotype will be determined by the dominant alleles A, B, C, D, and E.</span>
2. <span>Step 2: Determine the probability of each offspring inheriting the same dominant phenotype for each gene. For a heterozygous pair (e.g., Aa), the probability of inheriting the dominant phenotype (A) is 3/4, as the possible genotypes are AA, Aa, and aa, with AA and Aa showing the dominant phenotype.</span>
3. <span>Step 3: Calculate the probability of an offspring having the same phenotype as the parent for all five genes. Since the genes assort independently, multiply the probabilities for each gene: (3/4) for A, (3/4) for B, (3/4) for C, (3/4) for D, and (3/4) for E.</span>
4. <span>Step 4: Use the multiplication rule of probability to find the overall probability: (3/4) * (3/4) * (3/4) * (3/4) * (3/4).</span>
5. <span>Step 5: Interpret the result as the proportion of progeny expected to have a phenotype identical to that of the parent.</span>

Key Concepts

Independent Assortment

Independent assortment is a fundamental principle of genetics stating that alleles for different genes segregate independently of one another during gamete formation. This means that the inheritance of one trait will not affect the inheritance of another, allowing for a variety of combinations in the offspring's genotype.

Genotype and Phenotype

The genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, represented by the alleles it possesses, while the phenotype is the observable expression of those genes, influenced by both genotype and environmental factors. In this case, the phenotype identical to the parent would require the offspring to inherit the same combination of alleles as the parent.

Punnett Square

A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genetic outcomes of a cross between two organisms. By laying out the possible gametes from each parent, it allows for the visualization of potential genotypes and phenotypes in the offspring, making it a useful tool for calculating proportions of traits in progeny.