Question

Which of the following is the reason for the appearance of new combinations of characters in the F${}_2$ progeny?

• A. The tall/short and round/wrinkled seed traits are independently inherited
• B. The tall/short and round/wrinkled seed traits are not independently inherited
• C. The tall/short and round/wrinkled seed traits are linked
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A The tall/short and round/wrinkled seed traits are independently inherited

• The reasons for the appearance of new combinations of characters in the F${}_2$ progeny: the tall/short and round/wrinkled seed trait are independently inherited.

The reason for the appearance of new combinations in the F${}_2$ generation is given by the law of independent assortment. The law of independent assortment states that:

• When two pairs of traits are combined in a hybrid, one pair of characters segregates independently of the other pair of characters.
  
• In a dihybrid cross between two plants having round yellow (RRYY) and wrinkled green seeds (rryy), four types of gametes (RY, Ry, rY, rr) are produced and each of these segregates independently of each other.