Question

If heterochromatic spreading encompasses the new location of the w+ gene in a single eye cell, what is the phenotype of that cell?

Answer 1

The phenotype of the cell will depend on the specific genotype. If the cell carries a dominant XW allele, it would have a red eye phenotype.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phenotype of a single eye cell in which heterochromatic spreading encompasses the new location of the w+ gene would depend on the specific genotype of the cell. In Drosophila, the wild-type eye color is red (XW) and it is dominant to white eye color (X"), meaning that the presence of the dominant allele (XW) would result in red eyes. So, if the cell carries a dominant XW allele, it would have a red eye phenotype.