Predicting Offspring Phenotypes: Fur and Eye Color

Explanation:

To determine the predicted fur color and eye color of offspring using a Punnett square, we must know the genotypes of the parents and the dominance relationships of the alleles involved. In Drosophila (fruit flies), eye color is often used to illustrate X-linked inheritance. Red eyes are usually dominant to white eyes. Assuming a similar dominance relationship for fur color, where black fur is dominant to white fur, we can predict phenotypes based on the given genotype options:

A) Black Fur and Black Eyes: This phenotype would indicate dominant alleles for both traits.

B) Black Fur and Red Eyes: This phenotype would include a dominant allele for fur color and a dominant allele for eye color.

C) White Fur and Black Eyes: This phenotype would suggest a recessive allele for fur color and potentially a dominant allele for an X-linked trait for eye color in females or a Y-linked trait in males.

D) White Fur and Red Eyes: This would indicate a recessive allele for fur color and a dominant allele for eye color.

Regarding the cross between a white-eyed male and a heterozygous red-eyed female, we would expect 50% red-eyed females and 50% white-eyed males in the offspring. This can be understood better using a Punnett square, illustrating X-linked inheritance where the male's phenotype reveals his genotype directly since males have only one X chromosome, while females have two.

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