In pea plants, the trait for purple flowers (P) is dominant over the trait for white flowers (p). If two heterozygous purple plants are crossed, what percentage of the offspring would be expected to have the same phenotype as the parents?

A. 25% (1/4)

B. 50% (2/4)

C. 100% (4/4)

D. 75% (3/4)

1 answer

The phenotype of the parents is purple flowers, which is dominant. When two heterozygous purple plants are crossed (genotype Pp x Pp), the possible genotypes are PP, Pp, and pp.

- The genotype PP will result in purple flowers.
- The genotype pp will result in white flowers.
- The genotype Pp will result in purple flowers because the dominant allele (P) masks the recessive allele (p).

Therefore, 75% (3/4) of the offspring would be expected to have the same phenotype as the parents (purple flowers).

The correct answer is D. 75% (3/4).