Question

If you cross a dark winged male moth with a light winged female moth, how would you expect the offspring to turn out? a) All offspring dark-winged b) All offspring light-winged c) Dark males and light females d) Dark females and light males

Answer 1

Assuming simple Mendelian inheritance and complete dominance, all offspring of a cross between a dark-winged male moth and a light-winged female moth would likely be dark-winged. However, the precise outcome depends on the specific genetics of the moths, which is not provided in the question.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to inheritance patterns in moths and how their offspring would turn out when a dark winged male moth is crossed with a light winged female moth. Without specific information about dominance or genetic linkage, and assuming a simple Mendelian inheritance where dark-winged trait is dominant over light-winged, the expected outcome would be all offspring having dark wings if the trait is autosomal and completely dominant. However, the outcome could differ if sex linkage, incomplete dominance, codominance, or other genetic factors are involved.

Using the historical example of peppered moths during the Industrial Revolution in England, it is known that the predominant wing color can change due to natural selection, which in the case of moths was an example of directional selection where darker moths became more prevalent as they were better camouflaged in the polluted environment. Yet, this historical example does not provide enough information to predict the precise outcome of the hypothetical cross without understanding the genetic mechanisms at work.