Determining Phenotype from Maternal Genotype

What is maternal effect in determining the phenotype of the progeny?

Maternal effect in genetics refers to the phenomenon where the genotype of the mother parent influences the phenotype of the offspring. This means that the phenotype of the offspring will be similar to that of the mother, regardless of genotype.

In genetics, the maternal effect plays a significant role in determining the characteristics of the progeny. The genes 's+' and 's' control the coiling pattern in the shell, with 's+' being dominant over 's'. In this case, right-handed (dextral) is the dominant phenotype, while left-handed (sinistral) is the recessive phenotype.

The dominant phenotype (dextral) can be observed in two genotypes: s+s+ (dominant homozygous) s+s (heterozygous dominant)

On the other hand, the recessive phenotype (sinistral) is seen in only one genotype: ss (homozygous recessive)

It is important to note that the phenotype of the progeny is determined by the maternal genotype. If the mother has the genotype of s+s+, dextral offspring will be born. Similarly, if the mother has the genotype of s+s, she will bear dextral offspring. On the other hand, if the mother has the genotype of S s, sinistral children will be produced.