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MCAT Biology Question — Genotypes
- by
- Feb 19, 2017
- MCAT Question of the Day
- Reviewed By: Liz Flagge
What proportion of offspring with the genotype AABBCC will result from a trihybrid cross for the unlinked genes A, B, and C?
- 1/8
- 1/16
- 1/32
- 1/64
Click for Explanation
This question tests your ability to calculate the probability of a possible genotype resulting from a trihybrid cross between two heterozygotes. One method to determine the probability is to make a Punnett square. An organism that is heterozygous for three genes can produce eight different gamete possibilities. Thus, resultant Punnett square would contain an 8×8 table with a total of 64 genotype combinations. A more efficient method is to calculate the probability of each event occurring separately and then use the rule of multiplication to determine the likelihood of all three events occurring at the same time.
Probability of obtaining an AA genotype from a cross between Aa and Aa = ¼
Probability of obtaining a BB genotype from a cross between Bb and Bb = ¼
Probability of obtaining a CC genotype from a cross between Cc and Cc = ¼
Total probability of all three possibilities = ¼ x ¼ x ¼ = 1/64
Therefore, D is the correct answer.
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