18. Assume that the genes w+ and cv+ are located 20 CM apart on the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. Mutations in w+and cv+ give rise to white eyes and crossveinless phenotypes, respectively, which are recessive to the wild-type phenotype. A homozygous wild-type female was crossed to a white- eyed, crossveinless male. The F1 progeny was sib-mated. What percentage of the progeny will be white-eyed and crossveinless?
(1)20 (2) 40
(3) 10 (4) 5
Here is the detailed solution and explanation for the given genetics problem involving Drosophila melanogaster, alongside an SEO-friendly article format including title, slug, keyphrase, and meta description.
Introduction:
This article explains the genetic cross involving two X-linked genes, w+ and cv+, located 20 centiMorgans apart in Drosophila melanogaster. It focuses on finding the percentage of progeny showing the recessive white-eyed and crossveinless phenotypes after sib-mating the F1 generation.
Detailed Solution and Explanation:
Genetic Background and Cross Setup:
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Genes w+ (wild-type eye color) and cv+ (wild-type crossvein) are located 20 cM apart on the X chromosome.
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Mutant alleles w (white eyes) and cv (crossveinless) are recessive.
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A homozygous wild-type female (w+ cv+ / w+ cv+) is crossed with a white-eyed, crossveinless male (w cv / Y).
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F1 progeny are sib-mated.
Step 1: Genotypes of F1 Progeny
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Female parent X chromosomes: w+ cv+ and w+ cv+ (homozygous wild-type).
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Male parent X chromosome: w cv.
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F1 females receive one X from each parent: w+ cv+ / w cv (heterozygous).
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F1 males receive the X from the female parent only: w+ cv+ / Y (wild-type).
Step 2: Gametes Produced by F1 Females (w+ cv+ / w cv)
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Genes are linked 20 cM apart; recombination frequency = 20%.
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Parental (non-recombinant) gametes = 80% total, split as:
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w+ cv+ (40%)
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w cv (40%)
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Recombinant gametes = 20% total, split as:
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w+ cv (10%)
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w cv+ (10%)
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Step 3: Gametes Produced by F1 Males (w+ cv+ / Y)
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Males produce gametes with either X (w+ cv+) or Y.
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Female progeny get X from male and X from female.
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Male progeny get X from female and Y from male.
Step 4: Progeny Phenotypes from F1 Sib-Mating
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Female progeny genotypes can be:
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w+ cv+ / w+ cv+ (wild-type)
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w+ cv+ / w cv (heterozygous)
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w cv / w cv (white-eyed, crossveinless; recessive homozygote)
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And recombinant combinations with crossover phenotypes.
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Male progeny phenotypes depend on their single X chromosome inherited from the F1 female.
Step 5: Calculating Percentage of White-Eyed, Crossveinless Progeny
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White-eyed, crossveinless phenotype requires both recessive alleles (w cv):
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In females: homozygous recessive w cv / w cv.
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In males: w cv / Y.
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Using recombination frequency and the genotype ratios, calculation shows:
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40% of male progeny will be white-eyed and crossveinless.
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Males constitute about 50% of total progeny.
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Therefore, total white-eyed crossveinless progeny = 50% males × 40% affected = 20%.
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Explanation of Options:
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(1) 20% — Correct answer based on the recombination frequency and genotype calculations.
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(2) 40% — Incorrect; this would suggest all males plus females affected.
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(3) 10% — Incorrect; underestimates recombinant contribution and genotype proportions.
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(4) 5% — Incorrect; too low considering recombination and inheritance patterns.
This detailed genetic cross analysis clarifies how linkage and recombination distances affect inheritance of linked X chromosome traits in Drosophila melanogaster, leading to the conclusion that 20% of the progeny will show the white-eyed and crossveinless phenotype after sib-mating F1 progeny.
This analysis is essential for understanding classical genetics and chromosome mapping in model organisms like Drosophila melanogaster.