Question

A plant (parental) bearing red flowers is self-pollinated and two kinds of progeny are obtained: plants with red flowers and plants with white flowers in a ratio of 3:1. Based on this observation which one of the following statements regarding genes controlling the flower colour is correct?

A. The parental plant had one kind of allele for the flower colour

B. Two genes control the flower colour.

C. The parental plant had two different alleles for the flower colour.

D. All progeny plants with red flower colour have the same genotype as that of the parent.

Answer 1

The correct answer to the student's question about the inheritance of flower color is that the parental plant had two different alleles for the flower color, which is supported by the observed 3:1 ratio of red to white flowered plants. The correct answer is option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

When observing progeny from a self-pollinated plant with red flowers resulting in a 3:1 ratio of red to white flowered plants, we can draw conclusions about the genetics involved in flower color inheritance. In Mendelian genetics, Gregor Mendel's experiments with pea plants revealed similar ratios, which explained how traits are inherited. If both red and white flowers are produced, it suggests incomplete dominance or a monohybrid cross involving two different alleles for the flower color gene.

The correct statement regarding the genes controlling the flower colour, based on the 3:1 ratio of offspring, is that the parental plant had two different alleles for the flower colour. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.