Due to a recessively inherited trait, some plants fail to produce chlorophyll and therefore are white rather than green. If we locate a pea plant that is heterozygous for this trait, self-pollinate it, harvest the seeds, and then plant the seeds, what are the likely phenotypes of the resulting offspring?
A) 100% green
B) 100% white
C) approximately 1/2 green and 1/2 white
D) approximately 1/4 white and 3/4 green
E) approximately 1/4 green and 3/4 white

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the pea plant is heterozygous, its genotype would be Pp (P being the dominant allele for chlorophyll production and p being the recessive allele for no chlorophyll production). When self-pollinated, the possible gametes produced by the plant are P and p. Therefore, the offspring could have the genotypes PP, Pp or pp. 
PP and Pp genotypes will have chlorophyll production and appear green. Only the pp genotype will not produce chlorophyll and appear white. The probability of getting pp genotype is 1/4 or 25%.
Therefore, the likely phenotypes of the offspring would be approximately 1/4 white and 3/4 green.

Due to a Recessively Inherited Trait, Some Plants Fail to Produce