Question

Ladybugs can have anywhere from zero to 20 spots on their carapace, and the number is determined by polygenes. A ladybug with no spots has the genotype aabbccddee, while a ladybug with 20 spots has the genotype AABBCCDDEE. The addition of one dominant allele will add a spot to EACH side of the carapace (meaning it will add 2 spots).

What is the genotype of a ladybug with 10 spots?

Answer 1

Answer: The genotype of a ladybug with 10 spots is AABBCCDDEE.

Explanation: We know that the number of spots on a ladybug’s carapace is determined by polygenes. A ladybug with no spots has the genotype aabbccddee, while a ladybug with 20 spots has the genotype AABBCCDDEE. This means that each dominant allele adds 2 spots to the carapace.

Since a ladybug with 10 spots has half as many spots as a ladybug with 20 spots, we know that it has half as many dominant alleles. This means that it has one dominant allele for each gene.

To determine the genotype of a ladybug with 10 spots, we can use the following steps:

Start with the genotype for a ladybug with no spots: aabbccddee

Add one dominant allele for each gene to represent the 10 spots: AaBbCcDdEe

The genotype of a ladybug with 10 spots is AABBCCDDEE.

Hope this helps, and have a great day!