The variation of kernel color in corn plants is an inherited trait. R is the dominant allele for red kernels in a corn plant and r is the recessive allele for yellow kernels.
What is the probability that a corn plant with the genotype Rr crossed with a corn plant rr will have offspring with the genotype rr? Express your answer as a fraction using numerals for numbers and / for the fraction bar. Do not include spaces.
When a corn plant with the genotype Rr is crossed with a corn plant rr, there are two possible outcomes: the offspring can inherit the R allele from the first parent, or the offspring can inherit the r allele from the second parent.
The probability of inheriting the R allele from the first parent is 1/2, as the parent can pass on either the R allele or the r allele.
The probability of inheriting the r allele from the second parent is 1, as the rr parent only has the r allele to pass on.
Since these events are independent, we can calculate the probability of having offspring with the genotype rr by multiplying the probabilities together:
P(Rr crossed with rr = rr) = P(R allele from first parent) * P(r allele from second parent)
P(Rr crossed with rr = rr) = (1/2) * (1)
P(Rr crossed with rr = rr) = 1/2
Therefore, the probability that a corn plant with the genotype Rr crossed with a corn plant rr will have offspring with the genotype rr is 1/2.