Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Passage of information from parents to offspring

Passage of information from parents to offspring — practice question

Fig. 5.1 shows a cat with the recessive phenotype for two unlinked genes. • $H/h$ determines hair length. The allele for short hair is dominant over the allele for long hair. • $R/r$ determines coat pattern. The allele for 'full colour', in which pigment is present throughout the body, is dominant over the allele for 'pointed', where pigment is confined to the ears, face, paws and tail.
(a)[5]

Construct a genetic diagram to predict the offspring genotypes and phenotypes when the cat in Fig. 5.1 is crossed with a cat heterozygous for the hair length gene and heterozygous for the coat pattern gene. Include: parent phenotypes; parent genotypes; gametes; $F_1$ genotypes; $F_1$ phenotypes.

(b)

Scientists isolated two DNA segments believed to correspond to the allele for full colour ($R$) and the allele for pointed ($r$). Sequencing of these two segments showed that the DNA sequence for full colour, $R$, contained a restriction site for the restriction enzyme $Hpa\text{II}$. That restriction site was absent from the DNA sequence $r$ because a single nucleotide substitution had occurred. The scientists next analysed three generations of cats. Each cat was examined for three characteristics: • coat pattern, full colour or pointed • whether the $Hpa\text{II}$ restriction site was present or absent • the pair of alleles at a variable marker locus thought to be close to the $R/r$ locus. The marker locus has seven different alleles labelled $1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,$ and $7$. Fig. 5.2 presents the pedigree of these cats and the outcomes of the assessment.

(b(i))[1]

Use evidence from Fig. 5.2 to support the claim that the pointed phenotype is caused by a recessive allele.

(b(ii))[2]

Use evidence from Fig. 5.2 to support the statement that the $R/r$ gene lies on an autosome.

(b(iii))[2]

Use evidence from Fig. 5.2 to support the statement that the marker locus and $R/r$ are closely linked.

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This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Accurate phenotypes for both parents

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