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:

• Option A: Independent assortment means genes sort separately. If eye and body color proportions are similar, it supports independent sorting.
• Option B: Most offspring having parental combinations means crossing - over (which creates new combinations) is rare, so this is incorrect.
• Option C: Offspring get DNA from both parents, so this is wrong.
• Option D: Crossing - over occurs during meiosis (not fertilization), so this is incorrect.

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. (Note: Wait, no, correction. Wait, the correct answer should be A? Wait no, let's re - evaluate. Wait, independent assortment: if the proportions of each eye color and body color are approximately the same, that suggests they assort independently. But let's check the options again. Wait, option B: "most offspring have the same eye color and body color combinations as the parents have" – crossing - over would create new combinations, so if most are parental, crossing - over is rare, but the option says new combinations result from crossing - over because most are parental? That doesn't make sense. Wait, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, the correct answer is B? No, let's think about meiosis. Crossing - over happens during meiosis (prophase I), and if most offspring have parental combinations, that means crossing - over (which produces recombinant types) is less frequent, but the new combinations that do exist come from crossing - over. So option B's reasoning: new combinations (even if few) come from crossing - over during meiosis, and most are parental. So option B is correct? Wait, no, let's check the other options again. Option A: "the proportions of each eye color and body color are approximately the same" – independent assortment would lead to the phenotypic ratios being in line with independent segregation. But if the genes are linked, the ratios would be different. Wait, maybe the figure (not shown) has data where most are parental[LLM SSE On Failure]