Which of the following describes an acrocentric chromosome?
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
Inheritance in Diploids and Haploids
Problem B.1b
Textbook Question
Answer the following questions for autosomal conditions such as PKU.
Parents who are each heterozygous carriers for a recessive mutant allele have a child who does not have the condition. What is the chance this child is a heterozygous carrier of the condition?

1
Identify the genotype of the parents: Since both parents are heterozygous carriers for a recessive mutant allele, their genotypes can be represented as , where is the normal allele and is the recessive mutant allele.
Determine the possible genotypes of their child using a Punnett square: The possible genotypes are (homozygous normal), (heterozygous carrier), and (affected with the condition). The expected genotypic ratio is 1 : 2 : 1 .
Since the child does not have the condition, exclude the genotype from consideration. This leaves the possible genotypes for the child as either or .
Calculate the conditional probability that the child is a heterozygous carrier () given that the child is not affected. Use the formula: .
Substitute the values from the Punnett square into the formula to find the chance that the child is a heterozygous carrier given they do not have the condition.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Autosomal Recessive Inheritance
Autosomal recessive inheritance means a condition manifests only when an individual inherits two copies of a mutant allele, one from each parent. Carriers have one normal and one mutant allele but typically do not show symptoms. Understanding this pattern helps predict the likelihood of offspring being affected or carriers.
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Autosomal Pedigrees
Genotype Probabilities in Carrier Parents
When both parents are heterozygous carriers, each child has a 25% chance of being affected (homozygous recessive), 50% chance of being a carrier (heterozygous), and 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier (homozygous dominant). These probabilities are derived from a Punnett square analysis.
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Probability
Conditional Probability Given Phenotype
If a child does not have the condition (is unaffected), the probability that the child is a carrier changes because the affected genotype is excluded. This requires calculating the conditional probability of being heterozygous given the child is not affected, adjusting the original genotype probabilities accordingly.
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Probability
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