Another testing option is to mate to a random population of known allele frequency. Which choice represents this option?

Another testing option is to mate to a random population of known allele frequency. Which choice represents this option?

• A. Mate to a random population of known allele frequency
• B. Mate the sire to his daughter
• C. Mate sire with dams that are known carriers
• D. Mate the sire with a dam that is homozygous recessive

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using a population-based approach to infer genotype probabilities. Mating to a random population where the allele frequency is known leverages population genetics (Hardy-Weinberg principles) to estimate the offspring genotype proportions and, consequently, the carrier risk of the parent without needing a tester or related individual. By knowing the frequency of the allele in that population, you can calculate expected outcomes in the progeny (for example, the chances of producing carriers, affected offspring, or wild-type offspring) and use those expectations to assess whether the sire carries the allele. The other scenarios are all targeted tester crosses or related-mate configurations designed to reveal genotype directly through specific parental genotypes or relationships, not through a random population with known allele frequency.

The main idea is using a population-based approach to infer genotype probabilities. Mating to a random population where the allele frequency is known leverages population genetics (Hardy-Weinberg principles) to estimate the offspring genotype proportions and, consequently, the carrier risk of the parent without needing a tester or related individual. By knowing the frequency of the allele in that population, you can calculate expected outcomes in the progeny (for example, the chances of producing carriers, affected offspring, or wild-type offspring) and use those expectations to assess whether the sire carries the allele.

The other scenarios are all targeted tester crosses or related-mate configurations designed to reveal genotype directly through specific parental genotypes or relationships, not through a random population with known allele frequency.