An organism having the genotype AaBbCcDdEe is self-fertilized. Assuming the five genes assort independently, determine the following proportions:


Progeny that are expected to have a genotype identical to that of the parent.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the genotype of the parent organism, which is AaBbCcDdEe. Each gene pair (e.g., Aa, Bb, etc.) is heterozygous, meaning it has one dominant allele and one recessive allele.
2. To determine the probability of progeny having a genotype identical to the parent, calculate the probability of inheriting the same allele combination for each gene pair. For a heterozygous pair (e.g., Aa), the probability of inheriting the same combination (Aa) is 1/2.
3. Since the five genes assort independently, the overall probability of inheriting the exact parental genotype is the product of the probabilities for each gene pair. Use the formula: \( P = \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{2} \).
4. Simplify the expression to calculate the overall probability of progeny having the same genotype as the parent. This involves multiplying the fractions together.
5. Express the final probability as a fraction or percentage, which represents the proportion of progeny expected to have a genotype identical to the parent.

Key Concepts

Independent Assortment

Independent assortment is a fundamental principle of genetics stating that alleles for different genes segregate independently of one another during gamete formation. This means that the inheritance of one trait will not affect the inheritance of another, allowing for a variety of combinations in the offspring's genotype.

Genotype and Phenotype

A genotype refers to the specific genetic makeup of an organism, represented by the alleles it possesses for a given trait. In contrast, the phenotype is the observable expression of those genes, influenced by both the genotype and environmental factors. Understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype is crucial for predicting the traits of progeny.

Punnett Square

A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genetic outcomes of a cross between two organisms. By organizing the possible gametes from each parent, it allows for the visualization of potential genotypes in the offspring, making it easier to calculate the expected proportions of each genotype resulting from a genetic cross.