The allele b gives Drosophila flies a black body and b + gives brown, the wild-type
phenotype. The allele wx of a separate gene gives waxy wings and wx + gives nonwaxy,
the wild-type phenotype. The allele cn of a third gene gives cinnabar eyes and
cn + gives red, the wild-type phenotype. A female heterozygous for these three genes is
testcrossed, and 1000 progeny are classified as follows:
5 wild type
6 black, waxy, cinnabar
69 waxy, cinnabar
67 black
382 cinnabar
379 black, waxy
48 waxy
44 black, cinnabar
a. Explain these numbers for each progeny class in terms of genetic linkage.
b. Draw the alleles in their proper positions on the chromosomes of the triple
heterozygote female used in the above testcross.
c. If it is appropriate according to your explanation, calculate interference.
d. If two triple heterozygotes of the type in this problem are crossed, what
proportion of progeny would be black, waxy? (Remember, there is no crossing-over in
Drosophila males.)
(I understand a. & b. but not c. and d; feel free to provide an approach. thank you)