Phenotypic Arrays

Once you have the genotypic array it is fairly easy to get the phenotypic array.  Simply specify the "rules" for going from a genotype to a phenotype.

Example 1:  In the cross AaBb x AaBb the genotypic array is: 

Genotypic Array = 1/16AABB + 1/8AABb + 1/16AAbb + 1/8AaBB + 1/4 AaBb + 1/8Aabb + 1/16aaBB + 1/8aaBb + 1/16aabb.

In this example, let both the A and B Loci show complete dominance and assume that there is no lethality, no epistatic interaction and that the penetrance is 100%.  The rules for assigning phenotypes under these conditions are:

Genotype Corresponding Phenotype
A_ B_ AB
A_bb Ab
aaB_ aB
aabb ab

(where the blank means that any allele is possible). If confused by this terminology click here.

Under these specified conditions,  the phenotypes and corresponding genotypes are:

Phenotype Genotypes               Freq.
AB AABB, AABb AaBB, AaBb 1/16+1/8+ 1/8 + 1/4 = 9/16
Ab AAbb; Aabb 1/16 + 1/8= 3/16
aB  aaBB; aaBb 1/16 + 1/8= 3/16
ab aabb 1/16

It is often easier to calculate the phenotypic array for each locus separately and then multiply the phenotypic arrays without calculating the intervening genotypic array.

Example 2: Consider the cross of AaBb x Aabb.  The Gametic Arrays are given below:

Gametic Array Mother

A Gene 1/2A + 1/2a
B Gene 1/2B + 1/2b
 

Gametic Array Father

A Gene 1/2A + 1/2a
B Gene 1/2b + 1/2b= 1b

The corresponding genotypic arrays are: 

Genotypic Array A gene =  (1/2A + 1/2a) * (1/2A + 1/2a) = 1/4AA + 1/2Aa + 1/4aa

Genotypic Array B gene = (1/2B + 1/2b) * 1b =  1/2Bb + 1/2bb


Since these genes show complete dominance we can convert the genotypic arrays into phenotypic arrays.

Gene  Genotypic Array Phenotypic Array
1/4AA + 1/2Aa + 1/4aa 3/4A +1/4a
B 1/2Bb + 1/2Bb 1/2B + 1/2b

The phenotypic array for the A and B genes due to independent assortment is the product of the separate phenotypic arrays.

(3/4A +1/4a) * (1/2B + 1/2b) = 3/8AB + 3/8aB + 1/8aB + 1/8ab

Quick Links for Gametic, Genotypic and Phenotypic Arrays.
 

1 Representing Alleles, Genotype and Phenotypes
2 Multiplication Method; Gametic Arrays
3 Gametic Arrays make Genotypic Arrays
4 Phenotypic Arrays
5 Arrays and Independent Assortment
  Return to Mendelian Page
  Return to Detailed Index Page