(a) Albinism is an inherited condition. What type of inheritance pattern do you think it shows? (b) Explain your answer:

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**(a) Albinism typically exhibits an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.**

**(b) Explanation:**
Albinism is most commonly inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that an individual must receive two copies of the mutated gene—one from each parent—to express the condition. In this pattern:

1. **Genetic Basis:** The genes responsible for albinism (such as TYR, OCA2, TYRP1, and others) are located on the autosomes (non-sex chromosomes). Mutations in these genes disrupt the production or function of melanin, the pigment responsible for coloration in the skin, eyes, and hair.

2. **Carrier Parents:** Parents of an individual with autosomal recessive albinism typically each carry one copy of the mutated gene but do not show symptoms themselves because they also have one normal allele that compensates.

3. **Probability of Inheritance:**
   - If both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that the child will inherit both mutated alleles and thus have albinism.
   - There is a 50% chance the child will be a carrier (like the parents) and a 25% chance the child will inherit two normal alleles.

4. **Family Patterns:** The recessive inheritance pattern explains why albinism can appear in families where parents have no visible symptoms, and why it may seem to "skip generations." It also accounts for its occurrence across diverse populations without being linked to gender, as autosomal genes are inherited equally by males and females.

While the most common forms of albinism follow this autosomal recessive pattern, it's worth noting that some rare types, such as ocular albinism, can be inherited in an X-linked recessive manner, primarily affecting males. However, the general classification of albinism aligns with the autosomal recessive inheritance.
**(a) Albinism is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.** **(b) Explanation:** Albinism is most often passed down when both parents carry a mutated gene. Each parent has one normal gene and one mutated gene. When both parents pass the mutated gene to their child, the child has albinism. This means the child needs to inherit two copies of the mutated gene—one from each parent—to have the condition. If only one parent has the mutated gene, the child will be a carrier but not have albinism.

(a) Albinism is an inherited condition. What type of inheritance pattern do you think it shows? (b) Explain your answer:

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