We are studying fruit flies and eye color. In the cross r+/r+ X r/r the offspring will be wild type (in general). If that is the case, then why is it, for some alleles, the answer is not wild type? How can a defective allele present in one copy along with a wild type one, show the phenotype of a homozygous defective individual? I hope I explained this clearly, if not let me know and I will fix it. Thanks!
r+/r+ x r/r = eye color of the progeny will be wild type (red) & eye color of offspring = usually wild type "But, this is a subtle question.." Here are the questions we were presented:
1.Why is it in this particular case the answer is usually wild type? A. We?ve already seen the product of this cross (heteroz.) has 1/2 XDH activity of wild type flies. Apparently, 1/2 activity is enought to allow heteroz. to have normal (w type) colored eyes & w type levels are in excess - flies can have normal looking eyes with 1/2 the normal XDH activity.
2.Why in general is the answer is usually wild type? A. Apparently, the protein product of most genes is made in excess, so that the heteroz. tends to have same phenotype as the homoz. w type. Notice: results of this cross defines dominance: since F1 flies look wild type, w type is to be dominant. It?s not so much that the wild type allele is dominant, & that dominance makes it visible in
the F1 gen. Main Quest I need answered is above.
The above was directly quoted from my lecture notes. The questions I need answered are:
Why is it, for some alleles, the answer is not
wild type? How can a defective allele present in
one copy along with a wild type one, show the
phenotype of a homozygous defective individual? Thank you so much!