What is the probability of producing a homozygous recessive offspring from a heterozygous cross?

What is the probability of producing a homozygous recessive offspring from a heterozygous cross?

• A. 50%
• B. 25%
• C. 75%
• D. 100%

Answer: (B)

In a heterozygous cross, where both parents have one dominant allele and one recessive allele (genotype represented as Aa x Aa), the possible combinations of alleles for their offspring can be predicted using a Punnett square. In this case, the Punnett square would show the following combinations: - AA (homozygous dominant) - Aa (heterozygous) - Aa (heterozygous) - aa (homozygous recessive) When analyzing the combinations, we can see that there is one combination that results in the homozygous recessive genotype (aa) out of a total of four possible combinations (AA, Aa, Aa, aa). To calculate the probability, you take the number of homozygous recessive outcomes (1) and divide it by the total number of outcomes (4). Therefore, the probability of producing a homozygous recessive offspring is 1 out of 4, which simplifies to 25%. This is why the correct answer is 25%.

In a heterozygous cross, where both parents have one dominant allele and one recessive allele (genotype represented as Aa x Aa), the possible combinations of alleles for their offspring can be predicted using a Punnett square.

In this case, the Punnett square would show the following combinations:

• AA (homozygous dominant)

• Aa (heterozygous)

• Aa (heterozygous)

• aa (homozygous recessive)

When analyzing the combinations, we can see that there is one combination that results in the homozygous recessive genotype (aa) out of a total of four possible combinations (AA, Aa, Aa, aa).

To calculate the probability, you take the number of homozygous recessive outcomes (1) and divide it by the total number of outcomes (4). Therefore, the probability of producing a homozygous recessive offspring is 1 out of 4, which simplifies to 25%. This is why the correct answer is 25%.