In the next generation, both tall and short plants appear. Explain why.
This happens because the offspring in first generation are heterozygous (Tt), and when they are crossed, recessive trait can reappear.
Key Idea
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Heterozygous | Two different alleles (Tt) |
| Segregation | Alleles separate during gamete formation |
Genetic Cross (F1 × F1)
| Gametes | T | t |
|---|---|---|
| T | TT | Tt |
| t | Tt | tt |
Result
| Genotype | Ratio | Phenotype |
|---|---|---|
| TT | 1 | Tall |
| Tt | 2 | Tall |
| tt | 1 | Short |
Phenotypic Ratio
3 Tall : 1 Short
Stepwise Understanding
F1 plants are Tt (heterozygous)
During gamete formation, T and t separate
Different combinations form in next generation
tt combination appears
Recessive trait (short) gets expressed
Important Concept
Law of segregation states that allele pairs separate during gamete formation.
Real Insight
Recessive traits do not disappear, they just stay hidden and can reappear in next generations.
So both tall and short plants appear because recessive allele combines again in some offspring.