Question

A test cross is carried out to

• A. determine the genotype of a plant at F₂
• B. predict whether two traits are linked
• C. assess the number of alleles of a gene
• D. determine whether two species or varieties will breed successfully.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Test cross is performed to determine the genotype of F₁ plant. In a typical test cross an organism showing dominant phenotype and whose genotype is to be determined is crossed with one that is homozygous recessive for the allele being investigated, instead of self-crossing. The progenies of such a cross can easily be analyzed to predict the genotype of the test organism. Given ahead is an illustration of test cross.