To determine the genotypic and phenotypic ratios of the offspring when a white horse (WW) is crossed with an appaloosa horse (GW), we need to construct a Punnett square.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the Genotypes of the Parents:
- White horse: WW
- Appaloosa horse: GW
2. Set Up the Punnett Square:
- One parent's genotype (WW) will go across the top of the Punnett square.
- The other parent's genotype (GW) will go down the left side of the Punnett square.
Here's how you set it up:
```
G W
-------
W| WG | WW |
-------
W| WG | WW |
-------
```
3. Fill in the Punnett Square:
- Combine the alleles from the top and side to fill in the squares.
- Top row (first W from WW):
- First column (G from GW): WG
- Second column (W from GW): WW
- Bottom row (second W from WW):
- First column (G from GW): WG
- Second column (W from GW): WW
The completed Punnett square looks like this:
```
G W
-------
W| WG | WW |
-------
W| WG | WW |
-------
```
4. Determine Genotypic Ratios:
- The genotypes of the offspring in this Punnett square are:
- WG (Appaloosa) appears 2 times
- WW (White) appears 2 times
- Genotypic ratio:
- WW: 2
- WG: 2
5. Determine Phenotypic Ratios:
- Phenotypically, considering the provided information, we have:
- White (WW) horses
- Appaloosa (WG) horses
- Phenotypic ratio:
- White: 2
- Appaloosa: 2
6. Summarize the Results:
Genotypic Ratio:
- WW: 2
- WG: 2
Phenotypic Ratio:
- White Horses: 2
- Appaloosa Horses: 2
Therefore, if you cross a white horse (WW) with an appaloosa horse (GW), you will get:
- 50% White horses (WW)
- 50% Appaloosa horses (WG)
This analysis aligns with our understanding of the inheritance of color traits in these horses, resulting in equal numbers of white and appaloosa offspring.
