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Ch. 19 - Genetic Analysis of Quantitative Traits
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 19, Problem 12a

Two inbred lines of sunflowers (P₁ and P₂) produce different total weights of seeds per flower head. The mean weight of seeds (grams) and the variance of seed weights in different generations are as follows:
Table displaying mean seed weight and variance for two sunflower inbred lines across generations.
Use the information above to determine VG, VE, and VP for this trait.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the components of phenotypic variance (VP). VP is the total variance observed in a trait and is composed of genetic variance (VG) and environmental variance (VE). The formula is VP = VG + VE.
Step 2: Identify the environmental variance (VE). VE can be estimated from the variance within the parental generations (P₁ and P₂), as these are inbred lines and their genetic variance is minimal. Use the average variance of P₁ and P₂ to approximate VE.
Step 3: Calculate the phenotypic variance (VP) for the F₂ generation. The variance observed in the F₂ generation represents VP, as it includes both genetic and environmental contributions.
Step 4: Determine the genetic variance (VG). Subtract the environmental variance (VE) from the phenotypic variance (VP) of the F₂ generation using the formula VG = VP - VE.
Step 5: Verify the calculations and interpret the results. Ensure that the values for VG, VE, and VP are consistent with the data provided and reflect the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to the trait.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Genetic Variance (VG)

Genetic variance (VG) refers to the portion of phenotypic variance in a trait that is attributable to genetic differences among individuals. It is crucial for understanding how traits are inherited and can be influenced by the alleles present in the parental lines. In the context of the sunflower example, VG can be calculated by analyzing the differences in mean weights and variances across generations.
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Environmental Variance (VE)

Environmental variance (VE) is the component of phenotypic variance that arises from environmental factors affecting individuals, rather than genetic differences. This includes variations in conditions such as soil quality, water availability, and climate. In the sunflower case, VE can be estimated by comparing the variances of seed weights across generations, particularly between the inbred lines and their hybrids.
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Phenotypic Variance (VP)

Phenotypic variance (VP) is the total variance observed in a trait within a population, encompassing both genetic variance (VG) and environmental variance (VE). It is calculated as VP = VG + VE. Understanding VP is essential for breeding programs and genetic studies, as it helps determine the potential for selection and improvement of traits, such as seed weight in sunflowers.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Three pairs of genes with two alleles each (A₁ and A₂, B₁ and B₂, and C₁ and C₂) control the height of a plant. The alleles of these genes have an additive relationship: Each copy of alleles A₁, B₁, and C₁ contributes 6 cm to plant height, and each copy of alleles A₂, B₂, and C₂ contributes 3 cm. Identify the number of different phenotypes (expected plant heights) that are possible with these three genes.

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Textbook Question

In selective breeding experiments, it is frequently observed that the strains respond to artificial selection for many generations, with the selected phenotype changing in the desired direction. Often, however, the response to artificial selection reaches a plateau after many generations, and the phenotype no longer changes as it did in past generations. What is the genetic explanation for the plateau phenomenon?

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Textbook Question

In selective breeding experiments, it is frequently observed that the strains respond to artificial selection for many generations, with the selected phenotype changing in the desired direction. Often, however, the response to artificial selection reaches a plateau after many generations, and the phenotype no longer changes as it did in past generations. Once a plateau has been reached, is the heritability of the trait very high or is it very low? Explain.

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Textbook Question

What is a quantitative trait locus (QTL)? Suppose you wanted to search for QTLs influencing fruit size in tomatoes. Describe the general structure of a QTL experiment, including the kind of tomato strains you would use, how molecular markers should be distributed in the genome, how the genetic marker alleles should differ between the two strains, and how you would use the F₁ progeny in a subsequent cross to obtain information about the possible location(s) of QTLs of interest.

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Textbook Question

In Nicotiana, two inbred strains produce long (PL) and short (PS) corollas. These lines are crossed to produce F₁, and the F₁ are crossed to produce F₂ plants in which corolla length and variance are measured. The following table summarizes the mean and variance of corolla length in each generation. Calculate H² for corolla length in Nicotiana.

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Textbook Question

Suppose the length of maize ears has narrow sense heritability (h²) of 0.70. A population produces ears that have an average length of 28 cm, and from this population a breeder selects a plant producing 34-cm ears to cross by self-fertilization. Predict the selection differential (S) and the response to selection (R) for this cross.

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