Mendelian Genetics

AP Biology· difficulty 3/5

A dihybrid cross AaBb x AaBb produced 800 offspring. Predicted 9:3:3:1 yields expected counts of 450, 150, 150, 50. Observed counts are 460, 145, 152, 43. Chi-square = 1.4 (df = 3, critical = 7.82).

Phenotype Obs Exp (O-E)²/E A_B_ 460 450 0.22 A_bb 145 150 0.17 aaB_ 152 150 0.03 aabb 43 50 0.98

What conclusion is supported?

  • A

    The chi-square value is too small to draw a conclusion.

  • B

    Reject the null; the genes are linked.

  • C

    Reject the null; one allele is lethal.

  • D

    Fail to reject the null; data fit the 9:3:3:1 ratio expected for independent assortment.

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Explanation

Chi-square (1.4) is well below the critical value (7.82) at df=3, so observed and expected do not differ significantly. Genes appear to assort independently.

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