Question

If a particular gene is located on the Z chromosome of this lizard species, describe why a lizard with a ZW genotype has a greater probability of expressing the recessive phenotype for the trait than a lizard with the ZZ genotype does?

Answer 1

ZZ species will take more number of crosses to produce a recessive offspring.

Step-by-step explanation:

Here Z seems to be the dominant allele. A species having ZZ or homozygous dominant genotype shall not express the recessive phenotype until unless it has both recessive allele and this is not possible as of now or is dependent on the genotype of mating species and the number of generations of development.

If ZZ mates with WW, the offspring in F1 generation will have genotype ZW

However, if the offspring in the F1 generation are crossed then in next generation we could see organism with recessive phenotype i,e WW

ZW*ZW

ZZ, ZW, ZW, WW

While in case of organism having ZW type genotype, recessive phenotype will occur in the first generation cross with the ZW.