What are characteristics of the pedigrees of families with mitochondrial diseases?
A)All children of affected mothers are usually affected regardless of their sex.
B)Only the male children of affected mothers are affected, female children are not affected.
C)Only female children of affected mothers are also affected, male children are not affected.
D)All children of affected males are usually affected.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial diseases are inherited through the maternal line because mitochondria are passed from mother to all her children through the egg cell. Therefore, all children of affected mothers can be affected, regardless of their sex, while children of affected fathers do not inherit the disease because sperm do not contribute mitochondria to the embryo.

What Are Characteristics of the Pedigrees of Families with Mitochondrial