Consider the genetic cross for fur color. What is the probability that the offspring of this cross will have black fur?
Responses
A 25%25%
B 50%50%
C 75%75%
D 100%
The correct answer is B) 50%50%.
This can be determined by using a Punnett square to represent the cross between the parents. Assuming that black fur is a recessive trait (represented by the lowercase letter "b") and that black fur is the only possible outcome in this cross:
Parent 1: BB (black fur)
Parent 2: Bb (black fur)
The Punnett square would look like this:
| B | b |
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B | BB | Bb |
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b | Bb | bb |
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From the Punnett square, we can see that there are two possible genotypes for the offspring that have black fur: BB and Bb. Since each of these genotypes has a 50% chance of occurring, the probability that the offspring will have black fur is 50%.