Understanding Monohybrid Cross in Genetics

Monohybrid Cross: Exploring Genetics Through Fur Length in Guinea Pigs

Genetics is a fascinating field that helps us understand how traits are inherited from one generation to the next. One of the fundamental concepts in genetics is the monohybrid cross, which involves the study of a single trait controlled by a single gene. In this case, we will delve into the world of fur length in Guinea pigs, a popular choice for genetic studies due to their distinct phenotypes.

Scenario:

Imagine you are conducting an experiment on fur length in Guinea pigs. You have a homozygous dominant male Guinea pig and a heterozygous female Guinea pig. What would be the genotype and phenotype of their offspring in the F1 generation?

Final answer:

In a monohybrid cross between a homozygous dominant male guinea pig and a heterozygous female, the F1 generation's genotype would be a 1:1 ratio of AA:Aa. The phenotype, on the other hand, would be all long-furred guinea pigs as the long fur trait is dominant.

Explanation:

In a monohybrid cross involving fur length in guinea pigs, if a homozygous dominant male (say, AA) is crossed with a heterozygous female (say, Aa), it involves one gene with two different 'alleles' or versions. Here, 'A' allele denotes long fur (dominant) and 'a' denotes short fur (recessive).

The genotype of the offspring (F1 generation) can be determined by constructing a simple Punnett square. In the Punnett square for this cross (AA x Aa), you get the genotypes AA and Aa.

So, the genotypic ratio of the F1 generation will be 1:1 (AA : Aa).

The phenotype refers to the physical characteristics that can be observed. Since long fur is dominant, both genotypes AA and Aa will result in long fur. Thus, all F1 generation irrespective of their genotype will have long fur.

Your question is incomplete, but most probably the full question was:

Monohybrid Cross: 5 points for each problem.

Show all work for credit. Length of fur in Guinea pigs is controlled by a single gene. What is the genotype and phenotype of the F1 generation if you cross a homozygous dominant male with a heterozygous female?

Question:

Can you explain the concept of monohybrid cross and how it applies to understanding genetics in Guinea pigs?

Answer:

Monohybrid cross is a genetic cross between two individuals that involves the study of a single trait controlled by a single gene. In the case of fur length in Guinea pigs, the cross between a homozygous dominant male (AA) and a heterozygous female (Aa) results in a genotypic ratio of 1:1 (AA : Aa) in the F1 generation. The phenotype, which represents the physical appearance, will be long fur for all offspring due to the dominance of the long fur trait.