When first-generation plants are allowed to self-pollinate, what type of traits appear in the second generation?
1 Answer
Apr 11, 2017
It depends on the genotype of the plant
Explanation:
Self-pollination means that you are not necessarily introducing any new traits into the second generation.
Say you have a heterozygote plant for smooth seeds (i.e. Ss). This means, that there are 4 possible outcomes of a cross between its own gametes:
- SS
- Ss
- sS
- ss
75% of the offspring has, therefore, the same genetic traits as the mother-plant, whilst 25% have a different phenotype