The figure below shows three generations in one of Mendel's experiments. According to the data in this figure, Mendel's F₂ generation contains many more purple flowers than white flowers. Which of the following is the best explanation of this observation?
A)Three-quarters of the offspring must receive the white allele.
B)The chance of an individual offspring receiving a white allele is only 25 percent.
C)The probability of any individual offspring receiving a copy of the purple allele is 3:1.
D)The white allele is only dominant in about 25 percent of the offspring that inherit it.

Question

The figure below shows three generations in one of Mendel's experiments. According to the data in this figure, Mendel's F₂ generation contains many more purple flowers than white flowers. Which of the following is the best explanation of this observation? 
A)Three-quarters of the offspring must receive the white allele. 
B)The chance of an individual offspring receiving a white allele is only 25 percent. 
C)The probability of any individual offspring receiving a copy of the purple allele is 3:1. 
D)The white allele is only dominant in about 25 percent of the offspring that inherit it.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mendel's experiment involved crossing two plants, one with purple flowers (PP) and one with white flowers (pp). The F1 generation all had purple flowers because the dominant purple allele masked the recessive white allele. When the F1 generation was self-fertilized to create the F2 generation, a 3:1 ratio of purple to white flowers was observed. This can be explained by the fact that each parent in the F1 generation only contributed one allele for flower color (P or p) to each offspring. The probability of any individual offspring receiving a copy of the purple allele is therefore 3:1 (75%).

The Figure Below Shows Three Generations in One of Mendel's