A disease with a 50% transmission rate to offspring of either gender is likely what type of inheritance?

Study for the USMLE Step 1 Pathology Test. Prepare with multiple-choice questions, complete with detailed explanations and hints. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

A disease with a 50% transmission rate to offspring of either gender is likely what type of inheritance?

Explanation:
A disease with a 50% transmission rate to offspring of either gender is characteristic of autosomal dominant inheritance. In autosomal dominant disorders, a single copy of the mutated gene inherited from an affected parent is sufficient to cause the disorder. Therefore, each child of an affected individual has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutant allele, regardless of their sex. In contrast, X-linked recessive disorders typically affect males more frequently than females since males have only one X chromosome. Hence, affected fathers cannot pass these conditions to their sons, and a carrier mother would have a 25% chance of passing the disorder to each child (50% to sons, 0% to daughters). Autosomal recessive conditions require two copies of the mutant allele for the disease to manifest, leading to a lower probability of transmission since both parents must be carriers for the offspring to inherit the disorder. X-linked dominant disorders would also not confer a 50% chance of transmission to sons if the affected individual is male, further confirming that the disease in question is more consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.

A disease with a 50% transmission rate to offspring of either gender is characteristic of autosomal dominant inheritance. In autosomal dominant disorders, a single copy of the mutated gene inherited from an affected parent is sufficient to cause the disorder. Therefore, each child of an affected individual has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutant allele, regardless of their sex.

In contrast, X-linked recessive disorders typically affect males more frequently than females since males have only one X chromosome. Hence, affected fathers cannot pass these conditions to their sons, and a carrier mother would have a 25% chance of passing the disorder to each child (50% to sons, 0% to daughters). Autosomal recessive conditions require two copies of the mutant allele for the disease to manifest, leading to a lower probability of transmission since both parents must be carriers for the offspring to inherit the disorder. X-linked dominant disorders would also not confer a 50% chance of transmission to sons if the affected individual is male, further confirming that the disease in question is more consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy