The correct option is
B Co-dominance, phenotypic and genotypic ratios are 1 : 2 : 1
Co-dominance is a phenomenon in which both the alleles of a gene are dominant and are expressed independently in a heterozygous condition. As a result, traits associated with each allele are displayed simultaneously.
The red and white coat colour in shorthorn cattle are controlled by co-dominant alleles and due to this, their hybrid (
F1 generation ) is of roan coat colour (RW) i.e. patches of white and red.
The
F2 generation is obtained by crossing the
F1 hybrids.
The
F2 generation would have 1 white, 2 roan and 1 red coat offspring, with the genotypes WW (1), RW (2) and RR (1).
Incomplete dominance is when a dominant allele does not completely mask the effects of a recessive allele, and the organism's resulting physical appearance shows a blending of both alleles.
The case given above does not show a blending of both alleles, rather both are expressed equally .
Multiple alleles refer to the occurrence of more than two alleles for a particular gene. The given case does not mention the presence of more than two alleles for coat colour in shorthorn cattle populations. Hence this is not a case of multiple alleles.
Independent assortment is applicable for the inheritance of two genes. Since the given example discusses inheritance of one gene only it is not applicable for independent assortment.