What is meant by test cross and how is it significant to genetics?
The branch of biology that deals with the study of genes, heredity and genetic variations are termed as genetics. Every gene contains two alleles for a trait, a dominant allele, and a recessive allele. A dominant allele will be expressed in a person even if only it's one copy is present in the gene, while a recessive allele will be expressed in a person if its two copies are present in the gene for the given trait.
In a test-cross two organisms are mated. The genetic makeup of one organism is unknown and for the other organisms, the entire genetic makeup for the given trait is known. By this way, one can determine, which genes are being passed on the next generation, and whether they are dominant, co-dominant, or recessive in nature.
Generally, in a test cross, a homozygous recessive individual is crossed with unknown genotype individual to determine the genotype of latter individual.
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