Question

in mice, big ears is dominant (e) to small ears (e). two big eared parent mice have a litter of 6 baby mice. four baby mice have big ears like their parents, but two mice have small ears. what is the genotype of each parent? hint - follow the steps you used in the question above - if you get stuck, you can always try each contamination and see which one works!

both parents are ee

both parents are ee

both parents are ee

one parent is ee and one is ee

Explanation:

Step1: Recall dominant - recessive rules

In genetics, dominant allele (E) masks recessive allele (e). Small - eared mice must have ee genotype as they show the recessive trait.

Step2: Analyze parent genotypes

Since the parents have big ears, they must have at least one E allele. And since they can produce small - eared (ee) offspring, they must each carry an e allele.

Step3: Determine parent genotypes

If both parents are Ee, when they reproduce, using a Punnett - square analysis, the possible genotypes of their offspring are EE:Ee:ee in a ratio of 1:2:1. This can result in both big - eared (EE or Ee) and small - eared (ee) offspring.

Answer:

B. Both parents are Ee