Question

A meiocyte of an organism heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation goes through meiosis and results in four viable meiotic products. the most likely explanation is that

a. there was adjacent segregation.
b. there was alternate segregation.
c. a suppressor mutation occurred.
d. the translocation breakpoints were very close to the centromeres.

Answer 1

The most likely explanation is alternate segregation, where one normal and one translocated chromosome segregate to opposite poles in meiosis. The correct option is (b).

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely explanation for the four viable meiotic products in a meiocyte of an organism heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation is b. there was alternate segregation. During meiosis, homologous chromosomes can segregate in two different ways: adjacent segregation and alternate segregation.

In adjacent segregation, the translocated chromosomes segregate together, resulting in two nonviable gametes. In alternate segregation, one normal and one translocated chromosome segregate to opposite poles, resulting in two viable gametes. In this case, the fact that all four meiotic products are viable suggests alternate segregation.