Questions: Lisa has straight hair and no freckles. Her genotype is AaEe (two genes on two different chromosomes): a recessive mutation in the A gene (a) causes curly hair and a recessive mutation in the E (e) gene causes freckles.
Using alleles A/a and E/e from Lisa, represent two different ways that these chromosomes could align during metaphase I of meiosis.
Transcript text: Lisa has straight hair and no freckles. Her genotype is AaEe (two genes on two different chromosomes): a recessive mutation in the A gene (a) causes curly hair and a recessive mutation in the E (e) gene causes freckles.
Using alleles A/a and E/e from Lisa, represent two different ways that these chromosomes could align during metaphase I of meiosis.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the chromosome pairs
Lisa's genotype is AaEe. This means she has two pairs of homologous chromosomes: one pair carries the alleles for hair texture (A and a), and the other pair carries the alleles for freckles (E and e).
Step 2: Illustrate the first possible alignment
In the first alignment, the chromosome with the 'A' allele and the chromosome with the 'E' allele are on the same side of the metaphase plate. On the opposite side are the chromosome carrying the 'a' allele, paired with the chromosome carrying the 'e' allele. This will result in gametes with AE and ae combinations.
Step 3: Illustrate the second possible alignment
In the second alignment, the chromosome with the 'A' allele and the chromosome with the 'e' allele are on the same side of the metaphase plate. The chromosome carrying the 'a' allele pairs with the chromosome carrying the 'E' allele on the opposite side. This scenario produces gametes with Ae and aE combinations.