Genetics Quiz: Epistasis And Gene Interactions

20 questions · exam conditions

0:00

Epistasis And Gene InteractionsQuestion 1 of 20

Two true-breeding strains of a plant with white flowers are crossed, and all F1 offspring have purple flowers. When the F1 is self-pollinated, the F2 generation exhibits a ratio of 9 purple : 7 white. If a purple F2 plant is chosen at random and self-pollinated, what is the probability that its offspring will all have purple flowers?

1/9

2/9

4/9

1/3

← Back to quizzes

Genetics Quiz

Genetics Quiz: Epistasis And Gene Interactions

Practice Epistasis And Gene Interactions in Genetics with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Epistasis And Gene Interactions, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Genetics.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

1/9 (correct answer)
2/9
4/9
1/3

Explanation: The 9:7 ratio indicates complementary gene action (duplicate recessive epistasis). Let the purple phenotype be A_B_. The white phenotypes are A_bb, aaB_, and aabb. The F1 must be AaBb. The purple F2 plants have the genotype A_B_. We want the probability that a randomly selected purple F2 plant, when selfed, produces only purple offspring. This is only possible if the plant is homozygous dominant for both genes, i.e., AABB. We need to find the proportion of AABB genotypes among the purple F2 plants.\nThe genotypes of the purple F2 plants are: 1 AABB, 2 AABb, 2 AaBB, and 4 AaBb. There are a total of 1+2+2+4 = 9 parts representing the purple phenotype. Out of these 9 parts, only 1 part is the AABB genotype. Therefore, the probability of selecting an AABB plant from the purple F2 population is 1/9.

Question 2

Feather color in a certain chicken breed is controlled by two genes. A dominant allele I is an inhibitor of color expression, resulting in white feathers. In the absence of inhibition (ii), the C locus determines color, with C_ resulting in colored feathers and cc in white feathers. A true-breeding colored bird is crossed with a true-breeding white bird of genotype IICC. All F1 birds are white. If these F1 birds are test-crossed, what is the expected phenotypic ratio in the progeny?

1 colored : 3 white (correct answer)
1 colored : 1 white
2 white : 1 colored
1 colored : 2 white

Explanation: First, determine the genotypes of the parental and F1 generations. The true-breeding colored bird must have functional color (C_) and no inhibitor (ii), so its genotype is iiCC. The true-breeding white bird is given as IICC. The cross is iiCC x IICC, producing an F1 generation with the genotype IiCc. These F1 birds are all white because the dominant I allele inhibits color expression.\n\nA test cross involves mating the F1 individual (IiCc) to a homozygous recessive individual, which in this case is iicc. The progeny of the cross IiCc x iicc will have four equally likely genotypes: IiCc, Iicc, iiCc, and iicc.\n\nNext, we determine the phenotype for each genotype:\n- IiCc: Has the dominant inhibitor I. Phenotype is white.\n- Iicc: Has the dominant inhibitor I. Phenotype is white.\n- iiCc: Lacks the inhibitor (ii) and has the color allele (C_). Phenotype is colored.\n- iicc: Lacks the inhibitor (ii) but is homozygous recessive for color (cc). Phenotype is white.\n\nSumming the phenotypes, we find 1 colored progeny (iiCc) and 3 white progeny (IiCc, Iicc, iicc). Therefore, the expected phenotypic ratio is 1 colored : 3 white.

Question 3

In a certain plant, height is controlled by two genes, T and H. The genotype tt is epistatic and results in a dwarf phenotype regardless of the H locus. For plants with at least one T allele, the H locus determines height, with H_ resulting in tall plants and hh resulting in medium plants. A cross between two plants of genotype TtHh is made. What is the probability that an offspring will be the same height as its parents?

3/4
1/4
3/16
9/16 (correct answer)

Explanation: When you encounter epistasis problems, remember that one gene can mask the expression of another gene. Here, the tt genotype creates a dwarf phenotype regardless of what happens at the H locus, while plants with at least one T allele follow normal height determination based on their H genotype. Since both parents are TtHh (and we need to determine their height first), they have at least one T allele, so the H locus determines their height. With Hh genotypes, both parents are tall (since H is dominant over h). For a TtHh × TtHh cross, you need to find all offspring that are also tall. Using a 16-square Punnett square, the genotype frequencies are:

T_H_ (tall): 9/16
T_hh (medium): 3/16
ttH_ (dwarf): 3/16
tthh (dwarf): 1/16

Only the T_H_ offspring (9/16) will be tall like their parents. Answer choice (A) 3/4 represents the probability of having at least one T allele, ignoring the H locus entirely. Answer choice (B) 1/4 is the probability of being hh at the H locus, which would give you medium height, not tall. Answer choice (C) 3/16 represents either the medium (T_hh) or dwarf (ttH_) categories individually. The correct answer is (D) 9/16. Study tip: In epistasis problems, always determine the parents' phenotypes first, then systematically work through all possible offspring genotypes. Don't forget that epistatic genes override other gene effects completely.

Question 4

In foxgloves, two genes interact to determine flower color. The first gene controls pigment production (D_ = pigment, dd = no pigment/albino). The second gene controls pigment deposition (W_ = purple, ww = pink). A dihybrid plant with purple flowers is crossed with an albino plant of genotype ddWw. What fraction of the offspring is expected to have pink flowers?

3/8
1/4
1/8 (correct answer)
3/16

Explanation: First, identify the genotypes of the parents. The dihybrid plant with purple flowers has the genotype DdWw. The albino plant is given as ddWw. The cross is DdWw x ddWw. The pink flower phenotype requires pigment production (D_) and the pink deposition allele (ww). So, we need to find the probability of the genotype D_ww.\nLet's analyze the loci from the cross DdWw x ddWw separately:\n- For the D locus: Dd x dd -> 1/2 Dd (D_), 1/2 dd. So, P(D_) = 1/2.\n- For the W locus: Ww x Ww -> 1/4 WW, 1/2 Ww, 1/4 ww. So, P(ww) = 1/4.\nTo find the probability of pink offspring (D_ww), we multiply the probabilities of the required genotypes at each locus: P(D_ww) = P(D_) * P(ww) = (1/2) * (1/4) = 1/8.

Question 5

A mutation in the purple gene (pr) in Drosophila results in purple eyes instead of wild-type red. A separate, unlinked mutation in the suppressor of purple gene (su(pr)) restores red eyes in flies homozygous for pr. This suppressor allele is recessive. A cross is made between a purple-eyed fly (pr/pr ; su(pr)+/su(pr)) and a red-eyed fly (pr+/pr ; su(pr)/su(pr)). What proportion of the offspring is expected to have purple eyes?

1/2
1/4 (correct answer)
3/8
1/8

Explanation: Purple eyes require the genotype pr/pr combined with at least one dominant suppressor allele (su(pr)+/_). The cross is pr/pr ; su(pr)+/su(pr) × pr+/pr ; su(pr)/su(pr). Analyzing each locus independently: For the pr locus, pr/pr × pr+/pr gives 1/2 pr/pr offspring. For the su(pr) locus, su(pr)+/su(pr) × su(pr)/su(pr) gives 1/2 su(pr)+/su(pr) and 1/2 su(pr)/su(pr) offspring. Purple eyes require both pr/pr AND su(pr)+/_ (not suppressed). The probability is P(pr/pr) × P(su(pr)+/_) = (1/2) × (1/2) = 1/4.

Question 6

In summer squash, fruit color is determined by two genes. A dominant allele W at one locus results in white fruit, regardless of the alleles at the second locus (Y/y). In the absence of a dominant W allele (ww), the second locus determines color, with Y_ resulting in yellow fruit and yy resulting in green fruit. A cross is performed between a plant of genotype WwYy and a plant of genotype wwYy. What is the expected phenotypic ratio of the offspring?

12 white : 3 yellow : 1 green
9 white : 3 yellow : 4 green
4 white : 3 yellow : 1 green (correct answer)
3 white : 4 yellow : 1 green

Explanation: This is a case of dominant epistasis, but the cross is not a standard dihybrid self-cross. We must analyze the specific cross WwYy x wwYy.\nFirst, analyze the W locus: Ww x ww -> 1/2 Ww (white), 1/2 ww (not white).\nNext, analyze the Y locus: Yy x Yy -> 3/4 Y_ (yellow potential), 1/4 yy (green potential).\nNow, combine the probabilities for the phenotypes:\n- White fruit: Any offspring with a W allele will be white. The probability of this is P(Ww) = 1/2. So, 1/2 or 4/8 of the offspring are white.\n- Yellow fruit: These must have the genotype wwY_. P(ww) = 1/2 and P(Y_) = 3/4. The combined probability is (1/2) * (3/4) = 3/8.\n- Green fruit: These must have the genotype wwyy. P(ww) = 1/2 and P(yy) = 1/4. The combined probability is (1/2) * (1/4) = 1/8.\nThe resulting phenotypic ratio is 4/8 white : 3/8 yellow : 1/8 green, which simplifies to 4:3:1.

Question 7

In a hypothetical insect, eye color is determined by a two-gene pathway where a colorless precursor is converted to a red pigment by the product of gene R, and the red pigment is converted to a purple pigment by the product of gene P. Alleles R and P are dominant and produce functional enzymes. A dihybrid insect (RrPp) is test-crossed. What is the expected phenotypic ratio in the progeny?

9 purple : 3 red : 4 colorless
1 purple : 1 red : 2 colorless (correct answer)
1 purple : 1 red : 1 colorless : 1 other
3 purple : 1 red

Explanation: First, determine the phenotype for each genotype class. Pathway: Colorless --(R)--> Red --(P)--> Purple. So, R_P_ is purple, R_pp is red (stuck at intermediate), and rr__ is colorless (can't start the pathway). A test cross involves mating RrPp with rrpp. The expected genotypic ratio of the offspring is 1 RrPp : 1 Rrpp : 1 rrPp : 1 rrpp. Now, let's assign phenotypes to these genotypes:\n- RrPp: Has functional R and P enzymes -> Purple.\n- Rrpp: Has functional R but not P -> Red.\n- rrPp: Lacks functional R -> Colorless.\n- rrpp: Lacks functional R -> Colorless.\nCombining the phenotypes, we get a ratio of 1 purple : 1 red : 2 colorless.

Question 8

In wheat, kernel color is controlled by two genes (A and B) with duplicate dominant epistasis, where a dominant allele at either locus results in a red kernel. The intensity of the color is additive, with each dominant allele contributing equally to the redness, on top of a baseline white color for the aabb genotype. A cross between a dark red plant (AABB) and a white plant (aabb) produces an F1 generation with an intermediate red color. If this F1 is self-crossed, what fraction of the F2 offspring will be phenotypically identical to the F1 parent?

1/4
9/16
6/16 (correct answer)
4/16

Explanation: This question combines duplicate dominant epistasis with a quantitative (additive) component. The F1 parent from the cross AABB x aabb has the genotype AaBb. Its phenotype, 'intermediate red', is due to the presence of two dominant alleles. The question asks for the fraction of F2 offspring that will also have exactly two dominant alleles.\n\nThe F2 generation is produced by self-crossing the F1 (AaBb x AaBb). We need to find all the genotypes in the F2 that have exactly two dominant alleles:\n- AAbb: P(AA) = 1/4, P(bb) = 1/4. Total P = (1/4)(1/4) = 1/16.\n- aaBB: P(aa) = 1/4, P(BB) = 1/4. Total P = (1/4)(1/4) = 1/16.\n- AaBb: P(Aa) = 1/2, P(Bb) = 1/2. Total P = (1/2)*(1/2) = 4/16.\n\nThe total fraction of offspring with two dominant alleles is the sum of the probabilities of these genotypes: 1/16 (AAbb) + 1/16 (aaBB) + 4/16 (AaBb) = 6/16. This simplifies to 3/8. Choice C is 6/16.

Question 9

A recessive allele a is lethal in the embryonic stage when homozygous. A second, unlinked gene B determines tail length, with B_ for long tail and bb for short tail. A cross is made between two long-tailed parents with the genotype AaBb. What is the phenotypic ratio of tail length among the live-born progeny?

3 long : 1 short (correct answer)
1 long : 2 short
2 long : 1 short
9 long : 3 short

Explanation: First, consider the standard dihybrid cross AaBb x AaBb, which yields a 9 A_B_ : 3 A_bb : 3 aaB_ : 1 aabb genotypic ratio. The problem states that the aa genotype is lethal. This means all progeny with genotypes aaB_ and aabb will not survive. The surviving genotypes are A_B_ and A_bb. The ratio of these two classes in the initial cross is 9:3. This ratio simplifies to 3:1. The phenotype for A_B_ is long tail (since B_ is present and the organism is alive), and the phenotype for A_bb is short tail. Therefore, the phenotypic ratio among the surviving progeny is 3 long tail : 1 short tail. The lethality at the A locus removes 1/4 of the total offspring, but it does not alter the 3:1 segregation ratio at the unlinked B locus among the survivors.

Question 10

Seed shape in the Shepherd's purse plant is controlled by two independently assorting genes, A and B. The presence of at least one dominant allele at either locus (A_ or B_) results in a triangular seed shape. The double homozygous recessive genotype (aabb) results in an ovoid seed shape. If a plant with genotype AABb is crossed with a plant of genotype Aabb, what fraction of the progeny is expected to have ovoid seeds?

0 (correct answer)
1/16
1/8
1/4

Explanation: This is a case of duplicate dominant epistasis (15:1 ratio in a standard dihybrid cross). The ovoid phenotype requires the genotype aabb. We need to determine the probability of getting this genotype from the cross AABb x Aabb. We can analyze each gene locus independently.\nFor the A locus, the cross is AA x Aa. The possible offspring genotypes are AA and Aa. The probability of getting an aa genotype from this cross is 0.\nFor the B locus, the cross is Bb x bb. The probability of getting a bb genotype is 1/2.\nTo find the probability of the aabb genotype, we multiply the probabilities for each locus: P(aabb) = P(aa) * P(bb) = 0 * (1/2) = 0. Therefore, no offspring from this cross are expected to have ovoid seeds.

Question 11

In a species of flowering plant, a biochemical pathway synthesizes petal pigment: a colorless precursor is converted to a yellow intermediate by Enzyme A (encoded by gene A), which is then converted to a red pigment by Enzyme B (encoded by gene B). Recessive alleles a and b produce non-functional enzymes. A plant of genotype AaBb is crossed to a plant with yellow petals. The resulting progeny display a phenotypic ratio of 3 red : 3 yellow : 2 colorless. What was the genotype of the yellow-flowered parent?

AAbb
Aabb (correct answer)
AABb
aaBb

Explanation: The problem requires working backward from the progeny ratio to deduce the parental genotype. The phenotypes correspond to genotypes as follows: Red = A_B_, Yellow = A_bb, Colorless = aa__. The cross is AaBb x (Yellow Parent). A yellow parent must have the genotype A_bb. The specific genotype could be AAbb or Aabb. Let's test both possibilities.\n\nCase 1: Cross is AaBb x AAbb.\nProgeny genotypes: 1/2 AABb (Red), 1/2 AAbb (Yellow).\nProgeny phenotypes: 1 Red : 1 Yellow. This does not match the 3:3:2 ratio.\n\nCase 2: Cross is AaBb x Aabb.\nAa x Aa -> 3/4 A_, 1/4 aa.\nBb x bb -> 1/2 Bb, 1/2 bb.\nProgeny genotypes:\n- A_Bb (Red): (3/4) * (1/2) = 3/8\n- A_bb (Yellow): (3/4) * (1/2) = 3/8\n- aaBb (Colorless): (1/4) * (1/2) = 1/8\n- aabb (Colorless): (1/4) * (1/2) = 1/8\nCombining the colorless phenotypes gives 1/8 + 1/8 = 2/8. The resulting phenotypic ratio is 3 Red : 3 Yellow : 2 Colorless. This matches the observed data. Therefore, the yellow-flowered parent had the genotype Aabb.

Question 12

1/9 (correct answer)
2/9
4/9
1/3

Question 13

AAbb
Aabb (correct answer)
AABb
aaBb

Question 14

9 purple : 3 red : 4 colorless
1 purple : 1 red : 2 colorless (correct answer)
1 purple : 1 red : 1 colorless : 1 other
3 purple : 1 red

Question 15

0 (correct answer)
1/16
1/8
1/4

Question 16

1/2
1/4 (correct answer)
3/8
1/8

Question 17

3 long : 1 short (correct answer)
1 long : 2 short
2 long : 1 short
9 long : 3 short

Question 18

3/4
1/4
3/16
9/16 (correct answer)

T_H_ (tall): 9/16
T_hh (medium): 3/16
ttH_ (dwarf): 3/16
tthh (dwarf): 1/16

Question 19

In corn, the synthesis of the purple pigment anthocyanin requires the dominant alleles of two genes, A and B. Any other genotype results in a colorless (white) kernel. A plant with genotype AaBb is test-crossed. The kernels on the resulting ear of corn are counted. Out of 200 total kernels, how many are expected to be purple?

150
112.5
100
50 (correct answer)

Explanation: This is a case of complementary gene action (duplicate recessive epistasis), where the purple phenotype requires at least one dominant allele at both loci (A_B_). A test cross involves mating the dihybrid AaBb with the homozygous recessive parent aabb. Let's determine the genotypes of the progeny: 1/4 AaBb, 1/4 Aabb, 1/4 aaBb, 1/4 aabb. Now, let's assign the phenotypes:\n- AaBb: Has both dominant alleles, so it is purple.\n- Aabb: Lacks a dominant B allele, so it is white.\n- aaBb: Lacks a dominant A allele, so it is white.\n- aabb: Lacks both dominant alleles, so it is white.\nOnly 1/4 of the progeny are expected to be purple. To find the expected number out of 200 kernels, we calculate (1/4) * 200 = 50. Therefore, 50 kernels are expected to be purple.

Question 20

1/4
9/16
6/16 (correct answer)
4/16