Suppose that a gene on human chromosome 18 can be imprinted in a given pattern in a female parent but not in a male parent. A couple in whom each maternal meiosis is followed by imprinting of this gene have children. What can we expect as a likely outcome?
A) All sons but no daughters will bear their mother's imprinting pattern.
B) All daughters but no sons will bear their mother's imprinting pattern.
C) All sons and daughters will have a 50% chance of receiving the mother's imprinting pattern.
D) All the children will bear their mother's imprinting pattern but only daughters will then pass it down.
E) Each of the children will imprint a different chromosome.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Imprinting is a genetic phenomenon by which certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner. If a gene on chromosome 18 is imprinted in females but not in males, and maternal meiosis leads to imprinting of this gene, then all children (both sons and daughters) will inherit the mother's imprinting pattern because they receive chromosome 18 from their mother. However, only daughters will pass down this imprinting pattern to their offspring, as the imprinting occurs in females.

Suppose That a Gene on Human Chromosome 18 Can Be