Finding Genotypes for Dog Genetics Problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the genotypes of dog parents based on their phenotypes and the resulting offspring phenotypes in a genetics problem. The focus is on the inheritance of coat color and hair length, which are influenced by two independently segregating gene pairs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the offspring numbers can help narrow down the possible genotypes of the parents, particularly emphasizing the significance of zero offspring in certain crosses.
  • Another participant notes that the absence of albino offspring in a specific cross indicates that both parents must carry dominant alleles for coat color.
  • There is a discussion about the various genotype combinations that could result from the dark short x dark short cross, with multiple possibilities being considered.
  • Formatting issues with the presentation of the offspring phenotype data are raised, with attempts made to clarify the table layout for better readability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on how to approach the problem, with no consensus on the best method to determine the genotypes. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific genotypes of the parents.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight that the problem may require careful consideration of the offspring ratios and the implications of zero counts in certain phenotypes, but these aspects remain unresolved.

cmantzioros
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The question:

In dogs, dark coat colour is dominant over albino, and short hair is dominant over long hair. If these effects are caused by two independently segregating gene pairs, write the most probable genotypes for the parents of each of the following crosses: (Use the symbols D and d for dark and albino coat colour alleles, and S and s for the short- and long-hair alleles, respectively.)

Parental Phenotypes Phenotypes of the Offspring
Dark, Short Dark, Long Albino, Short Albino, Long
a) dark short x dark short 89 31 29 11
b) dark short x dark long 18 19 0 0
c) albino short x albino short 0 0 28 9
d) dark long x dark long 0 32 0 10
e) dark short x dark short 46 16 0 0
f) dark short x dark long 29 31 9 11Attempt at solution:

I'm trying to write out the genotypes but there are so many possibilities. I know I can narrow it down using the data provided but I don't know what to look for. For example for letters (a) and (e):

dark short: DDSS DDSs DdSS DdSs
dark short x dark short (crossing possibilities):
DDSS x DDSS DDSs x DDSs DdSS x DdSS DdSs x DdSs
DDSS x DDSs DDSs x DdSS DdSS x DdSs
DDSS x DdSS DDSs x DdSs
DDSS x DdSs

Is this correct? If so, how would I go about deciding which ones would best fit the outcomes given?

I know how to find the genotypes given the crossing but I don't think I need to find the genotypes of all possible crosses to find the answer. Any suggestions?

*Sorry about the table... it looks fine when I write it here but in the post it's all scrunched up together. Don't know what to do about it.
 
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cmantzioros said:
The question:

In dogs, dark coat colour is dominant over albino, and short hair is dominant over long hair. If these effects are caused by two independently segregating gene pairs, write the most probable genotypes for the parents of each of the following crosses: (Use the symbols D and d for dark and albino coat colour alleles, and S and s for the short- and long-hair alleles, respectively.)

Parental Phenotypes Phenotypes of the Offspring

Dark, Short Dark, Long Albino, Short Albino, Long
a) dark short x dark short 89 31 29 11
b) dark short x dark long 18 19 0 0
c) albino short x albino short 0 0 28 9
d) dark long x dark long 0 32 0 10
e) dark short x dark short 46 16 0 0
f) dark short x dark long 29 31 9 11
Okay, the numbers of each phenotype in the offspring is the key to answering this question. If you recall something about the probability of each outcome with different genotypes crossed, you can start working backward to determine the genotypes of the parents.

The easiest ones to start with are the ones with some zeros. These help tell you something about alleles absent in one or both parents. For example, in (b), there are no albino offspring. What does this tell you about the genotypes of the phenotypically dark-haired parents?

(In the meantime, I'm going to see if I can find someone to help us both learn how to format tables here! At least I can read it correctly when quoting.)
 
Okay, I goofed around the formatting, so now it'll be easier to refer to the table when working on this. I hope there's an easier way than I used, but it at least works for now. :smile:

Parental Phenotype.......[/color]Phenotypes of the Offspring
.........[/color]Dark, Short...[/color]Dark, Long ...[/color] Albino, Short...[/color] Albino, Long
a) dark short x dark short...[/color] 89 .....[/color]31......[/color] 29......[/color] 11
b) dark short x dark long...[/color] 18.....[/color] 19......[/color]0.....[/color]0
c) albino short x albino short ...[/color] 0......[/color] 0......[/color]28......[/color] 9
d) dark long x dark long ...[/color] 0.....[/color] 32......[/color]0......[/color]10
e) dark short x dark short ...[/color] 46.....[/color] 16......[/color]0.....[/color]0
f) dark short x dark long ...[/color] 29.....[/color] 31.....[/color] 9......[/color] 11
 
Looking for something like this, perhaps?

Code:
     Parental Phenotype                 Phenotypes of the Offspring

                              Dark,Short  Dark,Long  Albino,Short  Albino,Long

a) dark short x dark short        89           31          29           11
b) dark short x dark long         18           19          0            0
c) albino short x albino short    0            0           28           9
d) dark long x dark long          0            32          0            10
e) dark short x dark short        46           16          0            0
f) dark short x dark long         29           31          9            11

Too late, eh?
 
Gokul43201 said:
Looking for something like this, perhaps?

Code:
     Parental Phenotype                 Phenotypes of the Offspring

                              Dark,Short  Dark,Long  Albino,Short  Albino,Long

a) dark short x dark short        89           31          29           11
b) dark short x dark long         18           19          0            0
c) albino short x albino short    0            0           28           9
d) dark long x dark long          0            32          0            10
e) dark short x dark short        46           16          0            0
f) dark short x dark long         29           31          9            11

Too late, eh?

Dang! Too easy. :biggrin: Now, after I put in all those dots, where did the OP disappear to?
 

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