Assume that genes A and B are not linked. If the probability of allele A in a gamete is 1/2 and the probability of allele B in a gamete is 1/2, then the probability that both A and B are in the same gamete is

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We’re told that genes A and B are not linked, and each allele has a probability of 1/2 to be in a gamete. When considering the chance that both A and B end up in the same gamete, we treat the events as independent and multiply their probabilities.

Option 1: "|1/2 - 1/2|" This computes the absolute difference between the two probabilities, which would give |1/2 - 1/2| = 0. That would imply zero probability of both A and B appearing together, which is incorrect for independent events with nonzero probabilities.

Option 2: "(1/2) / (1/2)" This expresses a division of the two probabilities, yielding 1. This is not the correct way to combine independent probabilities to find a joint event; division does not describe how likely both events occur simultaneously.

Option 3: "" (empty string) This is not a numeric probability and provides no value to evaluate, so it cannot be correct.

Option 4: "1/2 + 1/2" This adds the probabilities, giving 1. Addition is used for mutually exclusive alternatives or to compute expected contribution across scenarios, not for the probability of two independent events occurring together.

Option 5: "1/2 x 1/2" This multiplies the independent probabilities: (1/2) × (1/2) = 1/4. This is the standard rule for the probability that both independent events occur in the same gamete, so this option represents the correct computation.

Thus, option 5 matches the correct joint probability for independent assortment, while the other options misapply arithmetic rules (difference, division, addition) or are invalid (empty).

APBIO141-031 with labs S14 - CollegeBoard* AP Exam Prep: Multiple Choice

Assume that genes A and B are not linked. If the probability of allele A in a gamete is 1/2 and the probability of allele B in a gamete is 1/2, then the probability that both A and B are in the same gamete is

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