Question

When roan cattle are mated, 25% of the offspring are red, 50% are roan, and 25% are white. upon examination, it can be seen that the coat of a roan cow consists of both red and white hairs. this trait is one controlled by _____?

Answer 1

This trait is one controlled by codominance.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the example, it is most probable that the cattle coat is controlled by one gene. In this case, if roan cattle are mated, their progeny will be:

- 25% red

- 50% roan

- 25% white

If a cross between roan cattle gives all possible phenotypical outcomes, it is probable that the roan trait will be a heterozygous trait. Therefore, red and white are homozygous traits. The cross can be seen in the attached Punnet Square.

Roan cattle have both red and white hair, so both traits (red and white coat) are being expressed. So, there are not recessive alleles in this case, white (c) and red (C) alleles are dominant, and when they are together in a heterozygous individual, both alleles are expressed.

In conclusion, this trait is controlled by codominance.