What is the Difference Between Reciprocal Cross and Test Cross?

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The main difference between a reciprocal cross and a test cross lies in their purpose and the type of information they provide in genetics:

  • Reciprocal Cross: This type of cross is designed to test the role of parental sex on a given inheritance pattern. It involves crossing a pair of parents with the sexes reversed, resulting in obtaining two reciprocal crosses. The reciprocal cross helps determine sex-linked inheritance, or whether the trait depends on the parent's sex.
  • Test Cross: The test cross involves mating a dominant phenotype with a recessive phenotype. It is used to determine zygosity, or whether the trait is heterozygous or homozygous. Zygosity is the degree of similarity that defines a specific trait between two alleles. The test cross can differentiate between homozygous dominant and heterozygous genotypes.

In summary, a reciprocal cross is used to study the role of parental sex in inheritance patterns, while a test cross is used to determine zygosity and differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous genotypes.

Comparative Table: Reciprocal Cross vs Test Cross

The main difference between a reciprocal cross and a test cross is their purpose in genetic studies. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the two:

Feature Reciprocal Cross Test Cross
Purpose Determines the role of parental sex in the inheritance of a trait, i.e., if a trait is sex-linked or not. Determines the zygosity of the parent, i.e., whether the trait is heterozygous or homozygous.
Procedure Involves crossing an individual with a dominant phenotype and an individual with a recessive phenotype, and then crossing the reciprocal individuals. Involves crossing an individual with an unknown dominant phenotype and a homozygous recessive organism for that trait.
Outcome Provides information about whether the trait depends on the parent's sex. Provides information about whether the parent is homozygous or heterozygous for the trait.

Both reciprocal cross and test cross are types of genetic crosses used in breeding experiments to study inheritance patterns and trait distribution in offspring.