Which is the most likely explanation for a child exhibiting a heritable trait that neither parent exhibits?(1 point)
Responses
A mutation occurred, and the child exhibits a new trait due to the mutation.
A mutation occurred, and the child exhibits a new trait due to the mutation.
The parents have recessive alleles, and the child inherited a dominant allele.
The parents have recessive alleles, and the child inherited a dominant allele.
A grandparent exhibits the trait, and the child inherited it directly from that person.
A grandparent exhibits the trait, and the child inherited it directly from that person.
The trait is recessive, and the child inherited a recessive allele from each parent
The most likely explanation for a child exhibiting a heritable trait that neither parent exhibits is that the trait is recessive, and the child inherited a recessive allele from each parent.
A mutation occurred, and the child exhibits a new trait due to the mutation.
A possible explanation for a child exhibiting a heritable trait that neither parent exhibits is that the trait is recessive, and the child inherited a recessive allele from each parent.
To understand this explanation, we need to have a basic understanding of inheritance patterns. Each trait in our body is determined by specific genes, which are present in pairs. We inherit one gene from each parent, forming a pair in our own cells.
Inheritance can be categorized into dominant and recessive traits. Dominant traits are expressed when an individual has at least one dominant allele, while recessive traits are only expressed when an individual has two copies of the recessive allele.
In the situation described, if the child exhibits a heritable trait that neither parent exhibits, it suggests that both parents are carriers of the recessive allele for that trait, but they themselves do not express it. This means that each parent has one copy of the recessive allele and one copy of the dominant allele. When the child is conceived, there is a 25% chance that both parents will pass on their recessive alleles, resulting in the child inheriting two recessive alleles and expressing the trait.
To determine if this is the most likely explanation, we need additional information such as the inheritance pattern of the specific trait, the genetic history of the family, and the possible presence of other genetic factors.
It is important to note that other explanations, such as a mutation occurring, or the trait being inherited from a grandparent, can also be possible but would depend on specific circumstances and genetic factors involved.