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What is the probability that two lizards that are heterozygous for stripes on their tails (Ss) will produce an offspring that is homozygous for no stripes (ss)?

2 Answers

3 votes

Answer:

1/4th of a chance

User Metin
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3 votes

Final answer:

The probability that two heterozygous lizards (Ss) will produce an offspring homozygous for no stripes (ss) is 1 out of 4, or 25%, as determined by a Punnett square calculation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The probability that two heterozygous lizards (Ss) will produce an offspring that is homozygous for no stripes (ss) can be calculated using a Punnett square, which shows the possible genotypes their offspring can have. Since both parents are Ss, each can produce two types of gametes: S or s. When we fill out the Punnett square, we see four possible combinations: SS, Ss, sS, and ss. Out of these, only one is the desired homozygous recessive genotype (ss).

Therefore, the probability of two Ss lizards producing an ss offspring is 1 out of 4, or 25%. This is because there is one ss combination out of the four possible genotype combinations in the Punnett square.

User Jonathan Hill
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