Final answer:
Light pink flowers in the F2 population result from the heterozygous (Rr) genotype, following a 1:2:1 genotypic ratio. Punnett squares predicting F2 generation outcomes show that half of the offspring will have this genotype.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine which genotypes produce light pink flowers in the F2 population, it is important to understand the principles of Mendelian inheritance illustrated by the described crosses. If a cross between red and white flowers produces a pink phenotype, this typically suggests incomplete dominance where neither allele is completely dominant over the other. In the F1 generation, the resulting heterozygous offspring (Rr) have pink flowers because the alleles for red (R) and white (r) colors blend.
In the F2 generation, there will be a 1:2:1 genotypic ratio. Three different genotypes result from this ratio: RR (red), Rr (pink), and rr (white). Therefore, the genotypic combination that would produce light pink flowers in the F2 population is the heterozygous Rr. Using Punnett square analysis on the F1 generation heterozygotes (Rr x Rr), we can predict that half of the F2 offspring will be heterozygous Rr with light pink flowers, one quarter will be homozygous dominant RR with dark pink or red flowers, and one quarter will be homozygous recessive rr with white flowers.