Concept explainers
A couple was referred for genetic counseling because they wanted to know the chances of having a child with dwarfism. Both the man and the woman had achondroplasia (MIM 100800), the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. The couple knew that this condition is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, but they were unsure what kind of physical manifestations a child would have if it inherited both mutant alleles. They were each heterozygous for the FGFR3 (MIM 134934) allele that causes achondroplasia. Normally, the protein encoded by this gene interacts with growth factors outside the cell and receives signals that control growth and development. In achrodroplasia, a mutation alters the activity of the receptor, resulting in a characteristic form of dwarfism. Because both the normal and mutant forms of the FGFR3 protein act before birth, no treatment for achrondroplasia is available.
The parents each carry one normal allele and one mutant allele of FGRF3, and they wanted information on their chances of having a homozygous child. The counsellor briefly reviewed the
Because achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant condition, a heterozygote has a 1-in-2, or 50%, chance of passing this trait to his or her offspring. However, about 75% of those with achondroplasia have parents of average size who do not carry the mutant allele. In these cases, achondroplasia is due to a new mutation. In the couple being counseled, each individual is heterozygous, and they are at risk for having a homozygous child with two copies of the mutated gene. Infants with homozygous achondroplasia are either stillborn or die shortly after birth. The counselor recommended prenatal diagnosis via ultrasounds at various stages of development. In addition, a DNA test is available to detect the homozygous condition prenatally.
Should the parents be concerned about the heterozygous condition as well as the homozygous mutant condition?
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Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
- A couple was referred for genetic counseling because they wanted to know the chances of having a child with dwarfism. Both the man and the woman had achondroplasia (MIM 100800), the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. The couple knew that this condition is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, but they were unsure what kind of physical manifestations a child would have if it inherited both mutant alleles. They were each heterozygous for the FGFR3 (MIM 134934) allele that causes achondroplasia. Normally, the protein encoded by this gene interacts with growth factors outside the cell and receives signals that control growth and development. In achrodroplasia, a mutation alters the activity of the receptor, resulting in a characteristic form of dwarfism. Because both the normal and mutant forms of the FGFR3 protein act before birth, no treatment for achrondroplasia is available. The parents each carry one normal allele and one mutant allele of FGRF3, and they wanted information on their chances of having a homozygous child. The counsellor briefly reviewed the phenotypic features of individuals with achondroplasia. These include facial features (large head with prominent forehead; small, flat nasal bridge; and prominent jaw), very short stature, and shortening of the arms and legs. Physical examination and skeletal X-ray films are used to diagnose this condition. Final adult height is approximately 4 feet. Because achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant condition, a heterozygote has a 1-in-2, or 50%, chance of passing this trait to his or her offspring. However, about 75% of those with achondroplasia have parents of average size who do not carry the mutant allele. In these cases, achondroplasia is due to a new mutation. In the couple being counseled, each individual is heterozygous, and they are at risk for having a homozygous child with two copies of the mutated gene. Infants with homozygous achondroplasia are either stillborn or die shortly after birth. The counselor recommended prenatal diagnosis via ultrasounds at various stages of development. In addition, a DNA test is available to detect the homozygous condition prenatally. What if the couple wanted prenatal testing so that a normal fetus could be aborted?arrow_forwardClara has polydactyly, an autosomal dominant that is 80% penetrant. Clara inherited her polydactyly from her mother, her father had no polydactyly in his family. She has an extra toe on her left foot. Her husband Ralph has no polydactyly in his family. A) What is the chance that Clara will have a child that will inherit polydactyly? B) What is the chance that the child will express polydactyly. You can leave these as un-calculated equations.arrow_forwardSheree is referred to a genetic counselor because a cystic fibrosis (CF) test done as a routine part of her prenatal care indicated that she is a carrier of the most common mutant allele. Sheree is stunned, because no one in her family has the disease. She is 26 years old. The genetic counselor would most likely explain autosomal recessive inheritance and suggest that Sheree's husband be tested for the CF allele. explain autosomal dominant inheritance and suggest that Sheree's husband be tested for the CF allele. explain autosomal recessive inheritance and suggest that Sheree's parents be tested for the CF allele. advise Sheree to have amniocentesis to check the fetus for the CF genotype.arrow_forward
- Pancreatic cancer is clearly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in the family illustrated in Figure 23.1. Yet most cases of pancreatic cancer are sporadic, appearing as isolated cases in families with no obvious inheritance. How can a trait be strongly inherited in one family and not inherited in another?arrow_forwardAlbinism, lack of pigmentation in humans, results from an autosomal recessive gene designated a. Two parents with normal pigmentation have an albino child. What is the probability that their next child will be albino? What is the probability that the next child will be an albino girl? If the child is normal, what is the probability that it will be a carrier (heterozygous) for the albino gene?arrow_forwardA woman knows that her mother is a carrier of Kartagener’s syndrome (an autosomal recessive disorder). The woman does not know if either she or her husband are carriers. The couple wants to have a child, but is worried about whether or not they could have a child with Kartagener’s syndrome. Should the couple seek the advice of a genetic counselor? In other words, is there a chance they could have an affected child? If there is a chance, please make sure your answer includes the specific parental genotypes necessary to make this possible.arrow_forward
- iii and ivarrow_forwardMrs. Dee (40 years old) and her husband have an amniocentesis for advanced maternal age. They already have four healthy children. They receive results indicating a 47,XXY karyotype. What is the phenotypic sex of the fetus? How many Barr bodies will be found in each somatic cell?arrow_forwardI will be adding two questions here because I asked two of the same questions twice by accident earlier. A man and a woman do not have hemophilioa, but the womans father did. (Hemophilia is X-linked recessive). a) What is the probability that they will have a child with hemophilia? b) Is it possible for any of their daughters to be affected? Explain. A cross between a horse homozygous for red hair and a horse homozygous for white hair results in offspring with the coat colour called roan. When you look at the fur of the roan offspring you see both red and white hairs. What type of inheritance best explains this? a) blending inheritance b)codominance c)incomplete codominance d)multiple allelesarrow_forward
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive condition triggered by the overproduction of sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and pancreas. It is a life-threatening disease, but medical advances helped the afflicted to live through adulthood. Betty's mother died from cystic fibrosis, but her father was normal and never had any relative with CF. Her fiancé, Jones, turned out to be a carrier of the CF allele. What are the genotypes of Betty and Jones? 1. Betty: ________________________ 2. Jones: _____________________ They planned to have four children. What is the probability that: 3. all children will be normal 4. at least two will be normalarrow_forwardThe attached image is a pedigree of a family with a history of sickle cell anemia (the individuals with the filled-in symbols have the disease and no new mutations are occurring in any individual). Sickle cell anemia is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. What is the probability that the individual with the question mark (?) will get the disease? a) 1/4 b) 1/2 c) 2/3 d) 1arrow_forwardAre my answers correct for this pedigree?arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage Learning