If individuals I12 and I17 married, the chance that their first child would have the trait is
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 9 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 9
If individuals I12 and I17 married, the chance that their first child would have the trait is
A. zero.
B. one in two.
C. one in three.
D. one in four.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:If individuals I12 and I17 married, the chance that their first child would have the trait is
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 9 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify the trait inheritance pattern
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
In order to determine the probability that the child of individuals I12 and I17 would inherit the trait, we need to understand the inheritance pattern of the trait in question (dominant or recessive) as well as the genotype of the parents.
Step 2
Genotype analysis of individuals I12 and I17
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Assuming the trait is recessive, if both parents are carriers (heterozygous) or if one is affected (homozygous recessive), we can derive the probabilities accordingly. We should create a Punnett square for the different crosses that may arise from these genotypes.
Step 3
Calculate the probability
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
Base the calculation on the potential combinations arising from the genotypes of I12 and I17. If both are carriers, the likelihood of the child having the trait would be 25%, which corresponds to one in four. Thus, the chance that their first child would have the trait is D. one in four.