Question

what is the significance of test cross

Answer 1

Test crosses are used to test an individual's genotype by crossing it with an individual of a known genotype. Individuals that show the recessive phenotype are known to have a homozygous recessive genotype. Individuals that show the dominant phenotype, however, may either be homozygous dominant or heterozygous.

Answer 2

test cross is a special type of back cross in which f1 progeny is crossed with the recessive parent inorder to find the genotype of the f1 progeny( as if in the cross all the off springs are similar to dominant phenotype then the f1 progeny is homozygous dominant and if the off springs produced in the crpss include recessive parents character too then the f1 progeny is heterozygous ).thus test cross is used to determine whether the genotype of the f1 progeny is homozygous or heterozygous.