Question

a heterozygous long-tusked elephant is crossed with a homozygous recessive short-tusked elephant. what is the probability of the offspring having short tusks?
25%
0%
75%
50%

Explanation:

Step1: Define allele notation

Let \(L\) = dominant long-tusk allele, \(l\) = recessive short-tusk allele.

Step2: Identify parent genotypes

Heterozygous long-tusked: \(Ll\); Homozygous recessive short-tusked: \(ll\)

Step3: Set up Punnett square

	\(L\)	\(l\)
\(l\)	\(Ll\)	\(ll\)

Step4: Calculate short-tusk probability

Short-tusked offspring = \(ll\). 2 out of 4 genotypes are \(ll\), so probability = $\frac{2}{4} = 50\%$

Answer:

D. 50%