A child is born with cystic fibrosis, an inherited recessive disorder.

No one in the family (on either side) for several generations is known to carry or have the disorder. How can this be explained?


The child contracted the illness from another child when he was born.

The genetic disorder formed from the mother's poor nutrition and prenatal care.

The child developed the disorder when he was born; it is a result of a birth defect.

The genetic disorder is recessive, and can be carried by heterozygous individuals without ever being realized or identified.

choose the correct answer

The genetic disorder is recessive, and can be carried by heterozygous individuals without ever being realized or identified. This is the correct explanation for how a child can be born with cystic fibrosis even if no one in the family is known to carry or have the disorder for several generations.