Question

which claim about the genes for eye color and body color is best supported by the data in figure 3?
a. the genes for eye color and body color sort independently from each other, because the proportions of each eye color and body color are approximately the same.
b. the new combinations of eye color and body color seen in the offspring result from crossing - over during meiosis, because most offspring have the same eye color and body color combinations as the parents have.
c. errors in meiosis that involve the eye color and body color genes happen frequently, which results in most offspring receiving dna from only one parent.
d. crossing - over occurred between the eye color and body color genes when the sperm fertilized the egg, which led to the new combinations seen in the offspring.

Explanation:

Cross - over during meiosis leads to new combinations of genes in offspring. When most offspring have the same eye - color and body - color combinations as parents, but new combinations are also seen, it is due to crossing - over during meiosis. Option A is wrong as similar proportions don't necessarily mean independent assortment. Option C is incorrect as errors in meiosis don't typically result in most offspring getting DNA from only one parent. Option D is wrong because crossing - over occurs during meiosis, not at fertilization.

Answer:

B. The new combinations of eye color and body color seen in the offspring result from crossing - over during meiosis, because most offspring have the same eye color and body color combinations as the parents have.