In pea plants, the allele for purple flowers, P, is dominant over the allele for white flowers, p. Which conclusion about phenotype and genotype is possible?(1 point)
Responses
If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be pp.
If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be pp .
If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be Pp.
If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be Pp .
If a plant has purple flowers, then its genotype must be PP.
If a plant has purple flowers, then its genotype must be PP .
If a plant has purple flowers, then its genotype must be Pp.
If a plant has purple flowers, then its genotype must be Pp.
The correct conclusion is: If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be pp.
To determine the correct conclusion about the relationship between phenotype (observable traits) and genotype (genetic makeup), we need to consider the information provided about the alleles for purple and white flowers in pea plants.
According to the question, the allele for purple flowers (P) is dominant over the allele for white flowers (p).
From this information, we can make the following conclusions:
1. If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be pp.
Explanation: Since the allele for white flowers (p) is recessive, a plant with white flowers must have two copies of the recessive allele, which corresponds to the genotype pp. This is the correct answer.
2. If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be Pp.
Explanation: This conclusion is incorrect because if a plant has white flowers, it means that the dominant allele for purple flowers (P) is not present in the genotype. Therefore, a genotype of Pp would result in purple flowers, not white flowers.
3. If a plant has purple flowers, then its genotype must be PP.
Explanation: This conclusion is incorrect because if a plant has purple flowers, it could have a genotype of either PP (homozygous dominant) or Pp (heterozygous dominant). The only certain conclusion we can make is that the dominant allele (P) must be present.
4. If a plant has purple flowers, then its genotype must be Pp.
Explanation: This conclusion is also incorrect because, as mentioned earlier, a plant with purple flowers could have a genotype of either PP or Pp. The presence of the recessive allele (p) cannot be determined solely based on the phenotype.
Therefore, the correct conclusion is: If a plant has white flowers, then its genotype must be pp.