Skip to main content
Pearson+ LogoPearson+ Logo
Ch. 3 - Cell Division and Chromosome Heredity
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 33a

Form a small discussion group and decide on the most likely genetic explanation for each of the following situations;
A man who has red–green color blindness and a woman who has complete color vision have a son with red–green color blindness. What are the genotypes of these three people, and how do you explain the color blindness of the son?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand that red–green color blindness is a sex-linked recessive trait located on the X chromosome. Males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while females have two X chromosomes (XX).
Step 2: Assign genotypes based on the information: The man with red–green color blindness must have the genotype X^cY, where X^c represents the X chromosome carrying the color blindness allele. The woman with complete color vision is phenotypically normal, so her genotype could be either X^CX^C (homozygous normal) or X^CX^c (carrier).
Step 3: Since the son has red–green color blindness (X^cY), he must have inherited the X^c chromosome from his mother and the Y chromosome from his father. This means the mother must be a carrier with genotype X^CX^c.
Step 4: Summarize the genotypes: Father is X^cY (color blind), mother is X^CX^c (carrier, normal vision), and son is X^cY (color blind). The son's color blindness is explained by inheriting the affected X chromosome from his mother and the Y chromosome from his father.
Step 5: Conclude that the mother’s carrier status is crucial for the son’s phenotype, as males express the trait if they inherit the affected X chromosome, while females require two copies of the affected allele to be color blind.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

X-linked Recessive Inheritance

Red–green color blindness is caused by a mutation on the X chromosome and is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern. Males have one X and one Y chromosome, so a single mutated gene on the X chromosome causes the condition. Females have two X chromosomes and usually must have mutations on both to express the trait.
Recommended video:
Guided course
09:30
X-Inactivation

Genotype Representation for Sex-linked Traits

In sex-linked traits, genotypes are denoted by the alleles on the X chromosome and the presence of the Y chromosome in males. For example, a male with color blindness is X^cY, while a female carrier is X^CX^c (one normal and one mutated allele). Understanding these notations helps explain inheritance patterns.
Recommended video:
Guided course
07:56
Sex-Linked Genes

Carrier Females and Phenotypic Expression

Females with one normal and one mutated allele for an X-linked recessive trait are typically carriers and do not show symptoms due to the presence of one normal allele. However, they can pass the mutated allele to their sons, who will express the trait if they inherit the affected X chromosome.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:09
Penetrance and Expressivity
Related Practice
Textbook Question

From a piece of blank paper, cut out three sets of four cigar-shaped structures (a total of 12 structures). These will represent chromatids. Be sure each member of a set of four chromatids has the same length and girth. In set one, label two chromatids 'A' and two chromatids 'a.' Cut each of these chromatids about halfway across near their midpoint and slide the two 'A' chromatids together at the cuts to form a single set of attached sister chromatids. Do the same for the 'a' chromatids. In the second set of four chromatids, label two 'B' and two 'b.' Cut and slide these together as you did for the first set, joining the 'B' chromatids together and the 'b' chromatids together. Repeat this process for the third set of chromatids, labeling them as 'D' and 'd.' You now have models for three pairs of homologous chromosomes, for a total of six chromosomes. What are the genotypes of the daughter cells?

1
views
Textbook Question

From a piece of blank paper, cut out three sets of four cigar-shaped structures (a total of 12 structures). These will represent chromatids. Be sure each member of a set of four chromatids has the same length and girth. In set one, label two chromatids 'A' and two chromatids 'a.' Cut each of these chromatids about halfway across near their midpoint and slide the two 'A' chromatids together at the cuts to form a single set of attached sister chromatids. Do the same for the 'a' chromatids. In the second set of four chromatids, label two 'B' and two 'b.' Cut and slide these together as you did for the first set, joining the 'B' chromatids together and the 'b' chromatids together. Repeat this process for the third set of chromatids, labeling them as 'D' and 'd.' You now have models for three pairs of homologous chromosomes, for a total of six chromosomes. Repeat steps (h) through (l) for the alternative alignment of chromosomes you identified in step (g).

1
views
Textbook Question

From a piece of blank paper, cut out three sets of four cigar-shaped structures (a total of 12 structures). These will represent chromatids. Be sure each member of a set of four chromatids has the same length and girth. In set one, label two chromatids 'A' and two chromatids 'a.' Cut each of these chromatids about halfway across near their midpoint and slide the two 'A' chromatids together at the cuts to form a single set of attached sister chromatids. Do the same for the 'a' chromatids. In the second set of four chromatids, label two 'B' and two 'b.' Cut and slide these together as you did for the first set, joining the 'B' chromatids together and the 'b' chromatids together. Repeat this process for the third set of chromatids, labeling them as 'D' and 'd.' You now have models for three pairs of homologous chromosomes, for a total of six chromosomes. Combining your work in steps (f) through (m), provide a written explanation of the connection between meiotic cell division and Mendel's law of independent assortment.

1
views
Textbook Question

Form a small discussion group and decide on the most likely genetic explanation for each of the following situations;

Cross A, performed by Morgan and shown in the figure below, is between a mutant male fruit fly with white eyes and a female fruit fly from a pure-breeding, red-eye stock. The figure shows that 1237 F1 progeny were produced, all of them with red eyes. In reality, this isn't entirely true. Among the 1237 F1 progeny were 3 male flies with white eyes. Give two possible explanations for the appearance of these white-eyed males.

Textbook Question

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD; OMIM 310200) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD; OMIM 300376) are both X-linked recessive conditions that result from different mutations of the same gene, known as dystrophin, on the long arm of the chromosome. BMD and DMD are quite different clinically. DMD is a very severe disorder that first appears at a young age, progresses rapidly, and is often fatal in the late teens to 20s. BMD, on the other hand, is much milder. Often symptoms don't first appear until the 40s or 50s, the progression of the disease is slow, and fatalities due to BMD are infrequent. Go to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih/omim and survey the information describing the gene mutations causing these two conditions. Discuss the information you find with a few others in a small group, and write a single summary explaining your findings.

Textbook Question

Red–green color blindness is a relatively common condition found in about 8% of males in the general population. From this, population, biologists estimate that 8% is the frequency of X chromosomes carrying a mutation of the gene encoding red and green color vision. Based on this frequency, determine the approximate frequency with which you would expect females to have red–green color blindness. Explain your reasoning.