(Q001) While most human traits are polygenic, the traits in the chart on p. 72 of your lab manual have traditionally been considered Mendelian traits.

Part 1:
(Q001) While most human traits are polygenic, the traits in the chart on p. 72 of your lab manual have traditionally been considered Mendelian traits. More recent research has disputed the single-gene nature of some of these traits, but for the purpose of this exercise, assume that the traits discussed in this exercise are Mendelian.
Work to determine your own phenotypes and possible genotypes for these traits. (Note: Refer to the table on p. 62 of your lab manual for images of these traits.)
A “cleft chin” is a chin with a slight indentation in the middle. A cleft chin is a dominant trait. What is your phenotype and possible genotype(s) for cleft chin?
(Q002) Freckles are a dominant trait. What is your phenotype and possible genotype(s) for freckles?
(Q003) “Attached earlobes” are earlobes that are fully attached to the side of the head, unlike unattached earlobes, which have a lower section that hangs freely away from the side of the head. Attached earlobes are a recessive trait. What is your phenotype and possible genotype(s) for attached earlobes?
(Q004) A “hitchhiker’s thumb” is a thumb that bends backwards when fully extended from a hand that is closed in a fist. Hitchhiker’s thumb is a recessive trait. What is your phenotype and possible genotype(s) for hitchhiker’s thumb?
(Q005) A “widow’s peak” is a hairline that dips down in the middle of the forehead to form a V-shape, unlike a non-widow’s-peak hairline, which runs horizontally straight along the forehead. A widow’s peak is a dominant trait. What is your phenotype and possible genotype(s) for widow’s peak?
Part 2:
Mister Poppleton, a cat enthusiast who breeds cats and competes on the Cat Fancier’s Association competitive show circuit, has just received quite a shock! His award-winning cat, Emeline, has given birth to some surprising kittens. Of her five kittens, four have black fur, and one has an unexpected coat of fur that is a patchwork of black and orange, known as a tortoiseshell pattern.
Mister Poppleton was breeding Emeline with an award-winning male cat, named Barnaby, but he is now worried that Emeline may have been having secret sexual relations with a neighborhood stray cat, named Hugo. Mister Poppleton consults with his veterinarian, Dr. Doolittle, for some expert advice.
Dr. Doolittle explains: In cats, there are several genes that determine fur color. One of those genes is found on the X chromosome and codes for whether a cat has orange fur or black fur. Because it is a sex-linked gene, it is expressed a bit differently in males than in females.
In males:
• If a male cat has the orange allele on his X chromosome, he will have orange fur.
• If a male cat has the black allele on his X chromosome, he will have black fur.
In females:
• If a female cat has the orange allele on both of her X chromosomes, she will have orange fur.
• If a female cat has the black allele on both of her X chromosomes, she will have black fur.
• If a female cat has the orange allele on one of her X chromosomes and the black allele on the other X chromosome, she will have a tortoiseshell coat.
With this information in mind, Mister Poppleton takes a closer look at Emeline and the possible fathers (Barnaby and Hugo) of her kittens. Emeline is a female cat with all-black fur. Barnaby is a male cat with all-black fur. Hugo is a male cat with all-orange fur.
Who is the father of these kittens? (Note: All of the kittens have the same father.)
Answer is Hugo.
Question:
1. How do you know this? Be sure to provide evidence from the scenario and from what you know about patterns of inheritance.
2. Why does only one kitten have the unusual tortoiseshell coat? Be sure to provide evidence from the scenario and what you know about patterns of inheritance.