Genetics: Analysis and Principles 5th Edition by Robert Brooker

Exercise 13

Sandhoff disease is due to a mutation in a gene that encodes a protein called hexosaminidase B. This disease has symptoms that are similar to Tay-Sachs disease. Weakness begins in the first 6 months of life. Individuals exhibit early blindness and progressive mental and motor deterioration. The pedigree shown here contains three members with Sandhoff disease. Affected members are shown with black symbols.
a. Based on this pedigree, does this syndrome appear to be an autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, X-linked recessive, or X-linked dominant trait Explain your reasoning
b. What is the likelihood that II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4, II-5, II-6, and II-7 carry a mutant allele for the hexosaminidase B gene