HUMAN HEREDITY (LL)-W/MINDTAP ACCESS
HUMAN HEREDITY (LL)-W/MINDTAP ACCESS
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781305717022
Author: Cummings
Publisher: CENGAGE L
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 4, Problem 2CS

Pedigree analysis is a fundamental tool for investigating whether or not a trait is following a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. It can also be used to help identify individuals within a family who may be at risk for the trait.

Adam and Sarah, a young couple of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, went to a genetic counselor because they were planning a family and wanted to know what their chances were for having a child with a genetic condition. The genetic counselor took a detailed family history from both of them and discovered several traits in their respective families.

Sarah’s maternal family history is suggestive of an autosomal dominant pattern of cancer predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer because of the young ages at which her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with their cancers. If a mutant allele that predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer was inherited in Sarah’s family, she, her sister, and any of her own future children could be at risk for inheriting this mutation. The counselor told her that genetic testing is available that may help determine if this mutant allele is present in her family members.

Adam’s paternal family history has a very strong pattern of early onset heart disease. An autosomal dominant condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia may be responsible for the large number of deaths from heart disease. As with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, genetic testing is available to see if Adam carries the mutant allele. Testing will give the couple more information about the chances that their children could inherit this mutation. Adam had a first cousin who died from Tay-Sachs disease (TSD), a fatal autosomal recessive condition most commonly found in people of Eastern European Jewish descent. Because TSD is a recessively inherited disorder, both of his cousin’s parents must have been heterozygous carriers of the mutant allele. If that is the case, Adam’s father could be a carrier as well. If Adam’s father carries the mutant TSD allele, it is possible that Adam inherited this mutation. Because Sarah is also of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, she could also be a carrier of the gene, even though no one in her family has been affected with TSD. If Adam and Sarah are both carriers, each of their children would have a 25% chance of being afflicted with TSD.

A simple blood test performed on both Sarah and Adam could determine whether they are carriers of this mutation.

Would you want to know the results of the cancer, heart disease, and TSD tests if you were Sarah and Adam? Is it their responsibility as potential parents to gather this type of information before they decide to have a child?

Blurred answer
Students have asked these similar questions
Imagine you are a botanist.  Below are characteristics of a never-before described plant species recently identified as part of the ‘All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory’ (ATBI).   Field Notes:  Specimen collected from shaded area along stream in South Cumberland State Park                 (Grundy County, TN). Laboratory Analysis:  Body:  Large leaves emerging from underground rhizome. Size: 63 cm  Chromosomal Analysis: Plant body is diploid—chromosome number of 44. Lignin test: Positive Cuticle: Present Leaves:  Present—large with branched veins. Underside has sori (containing haploid spores). Roots: Present—branch from the inside. Stem: Present—vascular tissue (xylem & phloem) present. Life History:  Diploid sporophyte dominant generation.  Haploid spores germinate into heart-shaped, haploid, gametophyte.  Water required for fertilization; no seed is produced.  Diploid zygote develops into sporophyte. Explain which domain, kingdom and phylum you believe this plant should be classified…
CUÁ Glycine A C C Newly formed molecule Glycine Arginine Proline Alanine A C C CC G GGAUUGGUGGGGC Structure X I mRNA
Adaptations to a Changing Environment  Why is it necessary for organisms to have the ability to adapt? Why is the current environment making it difficult for organisms like the monarch butterfly to adapt? Explain how organisms develop adaptations.

Chapter 4 Solutions

HUMAN HEREDITY (LL)-W/MINDTAP ACCESS

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...
Biology
ISBN:9781305251052
Author:Michael Cummings
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Biology
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cengage Learning
An Introduction to the Human Genome | HMX Genetics; Author: Harvard University;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEJp7B6u_dY;License: Standard Youtube License