Let’s solve this step by step.
We are told:
> In hamsters, gray fur (G) is dominant to white fur (g).
> A male hamster that is heterozygous for gray fur mates with a female hamster that has white fur.
> What is the chance their offspring will have white fur?
---
Step 1: Understand the genotypes
- Gray fur is
dominant → represented by
G
- White fur is
recessive → represented by
g
“Heterozygous” means having two different alleles → so the male is
Gg
The female has white fur → since white is recessive, she must be
gg (only way to show recessive trait)
---
Step 2: Set up Punnett Square
Male parent: Gg
Female parent: gg
Punnett square:
```
| g | g
---------------------
G | Gg | Gg
---------------------
g | gg | gg
```
So the possible offspring genotypes:
- Gg → gray fur (because G is dominant)
- Gg → gray fur
- gg → white fur
- gg → white fur
That’s 4 total possibilities:
→ 2 out of 4 are
Gg (gray)
→ 2 out of 4 are
gg (white)
---
Step 3: Calculate probability of white fur
White fur = genotype
gg
Number of gg outcomes: 2
Total outcomes: 4
Probability = 2/4 =
1/2 or
50%
---
Final Answer:
50%
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of genetics practice problems worksheet.