Female heterozygotes for G6PD deficiency have one population of cells that is normal and one that is G6PD deficient because:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Female heterozygotes have two X chromosomes, but one of them is randomly inactivated during embryonic development. The inactivated X chromosome is visible as a dense mass called a Barr body. This is why female heterozygotes have one population of cells that is normal and one that is G6PD deficient. The normal population of cells is derived from the X chromosome that is not inactivated, while the G6PD deficient population of cells is derived from the X chromosome that is inactivated.

Female Heterozygotes for G6PD Deficiency Have One Population of Cells