Question

In camellia flowers, petal color is controlled by codominance. When a red flower is crossed with a white flower, all of the offspring are covered in both red and white petals. A scientist crosses a red flower (RR) with a red-and-white (RW) flower. What are the predicted phenotypes of their offspring?

Choose the correct answer:
(A) All of the offspring will have red-and-white petals.
(B) 50% of the offspring will be red, and 50% of the offspring will be red-and-white.
(C) All of the offspring will have red petals.
(D) 75% of the offspring will be red, and 25% of the offspring will be white."

Answer 1

The predicted phenotypes of the offspring from crossing a red flower (RR) with a red-and-white (RW) camellia are 50% red and 50% red-and-white, due to codominance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a red flower (RR) is crossed with a red-and-white (RW) flower, the concept of codominance is in play. Codominance means that both alleles are equally expressed in the offspring. Using a Punnett square, we can predict the genotypes of the offspring. The red flower contributes R alleles and the red-and-white flower contributes both R and W alleles. The possible genotypes of the offspring are RR and RW. Thus, the phenotypes predicted would be red (RR) and red-and-white (RW).

The correct answer to the question about the phenotypes of their offspring is (B) 50% of the offspring will be red, and 50% of the offspring will be red-and-white. This expectation comes from the Punnett square, where one combination gives RR (red) and the other RW (red-and-white).