Question

A black female cat (XBXB) and an orange male cat (XOY) were mated to each other and produced a rare male calico cat. What occurred during gamete production to produce this cat?

a) The sex chromosomes didn't separate during meiosis in the female parent.
b) The sex chromosomes didn't separate during meiosis in the male parent.

Answer 1

The rare male calico cat was produced through X inactivation and X-chromosome recombination during meiosis in female cats, resulting in color variegation. The male calico cat is rare due to a genetic abnormality called Klinefelter syndrome.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this case, the rare male calico cat was produced as a result of a phenomenon called X inactivation and X-chromosome recombination during meiosis.

In female cats, one of the two X chromosomes randomly inactivates in each cell, resulting in color variegation. Females that are heterozygous for an X-linked coat color gene will Express different coat colors over different regions of their body.

The male calico cat is rare because it must have two X chromosomes due to a genetic abnormality called Klinefelter syndrome, where the cat has XXY chromosomes. This cat is sterile and cannot reproduce.