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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is an example of a non-Mendelian pattern of inheritance?
A
Independent assortment
B
Mitochondrial inheritance
C
Complete dominance
D
Law of segregation
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding Mendelian inheritance, which is based on Gregor Mendel's principles, including the law of segregation and independent assortment. These principles describe how traits are inherited through alleles located on chromosomes in a predictable manner.
Step 2: Recognize that non-Mendelian inheritance refers to patterns of inheritance that do not follow Mendel's laws. Examples include mitochondrial inheritance, incomplete dominance, codominance, and epigenetic modifications.
Step 3: Focus on mitochondrial inheritance, which is a non-Mendelian pattern. Mitochondrial DNA is inherited exclusively from the mother because mitochondria in the sperm are typically destroyed after fertilization. This inheritance pattern does not involve the segregation of alleles on nuclear chromosomes.
Step 4: Compare mitochondrial inheritance to Mendelian patterns like independent assortment and the law of segregation. Mendelian patterns involve nuclear genes and predictable allele combinations, while mitochondrial inheritance involves extranuclear DNA passed maternally.
Step 5: Conclude that mitochondrial inheritance is the correct example of a non-Mendelian pattern of inheritance, as it does not follow Mendel's principles of segregation or independent assortment.