How does the product rule apply to genetic events?

• A. It calculates the total number of possible outcomes.
• B. It combines the effects of independent events.
• C. It predicts the outcomes of a single event.
• D. It ensures all genetic combinations occur.

Answer: (B)

The product rule in genetics applies to independent events, which means that the occurrence of one event does not influence the occurrence of another. When assessing genetic events, such as the inheritance of traits from parents, the product rule enables us to calculate the probability of multiple independent genetic events happening together by multiplying their individual probabilities.

For example, if you want to determine the likelihood of an offspring inheriting a specific trait from both parents that are independently determined, you would multiply the probability of inheriting that trait from the first parent and the probability of inheriting that trait from the second parent. This is particularly useful in cases involving dihybrid crosses or when considering multiple genes that assort independently.

In contrast, while the total number of possible outcomes, predicting outcomes of a single event, and ensuring all genetic combinations occur are related concepts in genetics, they don't specifically address the mechanics of combining independent probabilities, which is the essence of the product rule.