Question

Mendel performs a cross using a true-breeding pea plant with round, yellow seeds and a true-breeding pea plant with green, wrinkled seeds. What is the probability that offspring will have green, round seeds? Calculate the probability for the F1 and F2 generations.

Short answer

The probability of getting green, round seed offspring in F1 generation is 0% while the same for F2 generation is 3/16.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

For calculating the probability of two independent events occurring simultaneously as given in the question, generally we use the product rule.

F1 generation

As green seed color is recessive, there is 0% probability of getting offspring with green, round seeds in F1 generation.

F2 generation

For calculating the probability of green, round seeded offspring we have to calculate the individual probability of getting green and round seed.

The probability of getting plant with green seeds in F2 generation is ¼, while the probability of getting an F2 generation plant with round seeds is ¾.

So now by using the product rule we can calculate the probability of a plant with green, round seeds:

1/4×3/4=3/16

So the probability of getting plant with green, round seeds is 3/16.