Which of the following properties is characteristic of an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance?
A) Every affected individual will have at least one affected parent.
B) More males than females will be affected.
C) Male and female children are affected in roughly equal numbers.
D) More females than males will be affected.
E) Individuals who inherit one copy of the disease allele will be affected.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Autosomal recessive disorders affect male and female children in roughly equal numbers. This is because individuals must inherit two copies of the disease allele (one from each parent) in order to be affected. Each parent who is a carrier (has one copy of the disease allele and one normal allele) has a 50% chance of passing on the disease allele to each of their children, regardless of the child's sex. Therefore, the likelihood of a male or female child being affected is the same.

Which of the Following Properties Is Characteristic of an Autosomal