Question

when two gametes combine to form a zygote, the resulting diploid cell’s dna is genetically distinct from both parents. each parent contributes one chromosome to each of the zygote’s homologous pairs. so even though the zygote contains the same genes as its parents, it has different combinations of alleles. this leads to genetic variation between the offspring and its parents. this model shows fertilization. one gene on each chromosome is labeled with a letter. each letter represents a different gene, but uppercase and lowercase versions of the same letter represent different alleles. in other words, d and e represent alleles of different genes, but d and d represent different alleles of the same gene. select all the true statements. the zygote inherited different alleles for the d gene from each parent. the two blue chromosomes in the zygote with the d and e alleles are homologous. the zygote is genetically identical to its father. the zygote inherited the same allele for the e gene from each parent.

Explanation:

1. For the D gene: The sperm contributes allele $d$, the egg contributes allele $D$, so the zygote has different alleles from each parent, making this statement true.
2. The blue chromosomes in the zygote carry genes $E$ and $d$ (different genes, not a homologous pair for the same gene), so they are not homologous, making this statement false.
3. The zygote has a unique combination of alleles from both parents, so it is not genetically identical to either parent, making this statement false.
4. For the E gene: The sperm contributes $E$, the egg contributes $e$, which are different alleles, so this statement is false.

Answer:

A. The zygote inherited different alleles for the D gene from each parent.