Hair Color Genetics

Cat Hair Color Genetics

So this weekend I was flippin’ through the channels on TV and saw a dog show on ESPN. I wanted to kick
someone. But then I thought about it a bit and realized how someone could make some good money breeding dogs
if they had the right dog. Then I also realized I hate dogs and would much rather do this with cats. Dogs drool, cats
rule, right? So I want to figure out how I could go about breeding cats so that I could retire at 35 and find a beach.

Background Info: The genetics of coat color in cats and other furry mammals is very complex. During
development of the embryo, cells that make the pigment cells in our skin migrate through development from their
original position in the neural crest and end up in skin. This migration is controlled by at
least two genes. Once these pigment cells are at their target location, these cells
differentiate into the actual skin pigment cells, and can start pigment production. The
production of, pattern, and location of pigmentation depends on additional genes, some of
which are discussed below. Once we know more about how these genes interact, we can
begin to use this information to help geneticists understand the gene interactions of some
human diseases too.

Key to the Genes: Agouti

Length: short or long hair LL or Ll - short hair

ll - long hair
Agouti: striping of individual hairs (See picture) AA or Aa - produce hairs that are dark with light
This is only visible in cats that have a dominant B bands
gene aa - produce hairs that are solidly pigmented
Black: black or brown BB or Bb: black pigmentation (eumelanin)
bb: brown pigmentation
Orange: sex-linked XOY - orange male
XoY - black male
XOXO - orange female
XoXo - black female
XO Xo - tortoiseshell cat (blotches of orange and
tabby/black)
White: no pigment in coat, reduced pigment in WW or Ww – white
eyes (blue or yellow eyes) ww - nonwhite
If a DOMINANT W is present, it masks every
other gene we are looking at (Except C/c).
(ie. If there is a W, the cat is white, and there
cannot be spots even if the cat is SS)
Spotting: produces white spots SS: white spots on more than half of the body
Ss: white spots on less than half of the body
ss: no white spots
Dilute: codes for the packing (or distribution) of DD or Dd: normal packing
melanin in hairs dd: less packing (color looks muted or diluted)
○ black looks grey/blue
○ brown appears lilac
○ red/orange appears cream colored
Colorpoint genes: different amount of color CC, Ccb, Ccs: full color
production (normal and more dilute) cscs: Siamese (light body and dark limbs)
This is the only gene that is not trumped by the cbcb: Burmese (sepia/brown)
dominant W gene cbcs: Mink (intermediate between Burmese and
These are controlled by temperature. They turn on Siamese)
at colder temperatures.

EDEXCEL BIOLOGY
SOJI PHILIP
 Hair Color Genetics

Your first task will be to determine the possible phenotypes for each of the cats. Use the pictures
on the overhead and comprise a description (the phenotype) of each of the cats listed. When you are
done, determine the genotype for each cat. You can work in groups in the back for this portion.

If you cannot tell whether a cat is homozygous dominant or heterozygous, assume that it is heterozygous.

Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype

Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute
Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute
Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute
Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute
Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute
Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange

EDEXCEL BIOLOGY
SOJI PHILIP
 Hair Color Genetics
White
Spotting
Dilute
Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute
Cat’s name Description (phenotype) Possible genotype
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute

Now, that you have the cats sorted, let’s think about possible offspring genotype ratios when you
mate the cats. Let’s look at the litter that Heathcliff and Toonces would make. Remember that anytime
you are unsure of homozygous dominant vs. heterozygous that the cat is heterozygous. (You can write
Punnett squares on a separate sheet)

Length Agouti Black Orange Spotting Dilute White

Heathclif
f

Toonces

Offspring

Questions: SHOW ALL YOUR WORK!! (Punnett squares and ratios)

1. If Tom mated with Snowball, is there ever a chance for white kittens? Show a Punnett’s Square
with your explanation.

2. Is cat hair color a polygenic trait? Why or why not?

EDEXCEL BIOLOGY
SOJI PHILIP
 Hair Color Genetics

3. If Snickers mated with Whiskers, would there ever be a chance for long hair? What is the
chance? Show a Punnett’s Square along with your explanation.

4. Each trait within the cat’s hair has a certain form of inheritance that we have covered in class.
Determine what the mode of inheritance is for each of the genes. (Complete, Incomplete,
Codominant, Sexlinked)
Length
Agouti
Black
Orange
White
Spotting
Dilute

EDEXCEL BIOLOGY
SOJI PHILIP