Question

In the pea plant, which of the following characteristics is controlled by the pleiotropic gene?

• A. Seed shape and starch grain size
• B. Height and flower colour
• C. Seed colour and pod size
• D. Seed colour and pod colour

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Seed shape and starch grain size

The correct option is A

Explanation of the correct option:

1. A phenomenon known as pleiotropy occurs when one gene impacts a variety of phenotypic features.
2. Round seeds and larger starch grains are produced by plants homozygously carrying the BB gene, whereas smaller starch granules are produced by wrinkled seeds (bb).
3. Heterozygotes for the gene, Bb are round shaped with intermediate-sized starch grains.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option B:

Pleiotropy does not affect flower colour or height.

Option C:

Seed color and pod size are not controlled by pleiotropy.

Option D:

Seed color and pod color are not controlled by pleiotropy.

Final answer: Seed shape and starch grain size are controlled by pleiotropic genes.