A new form of dementia has just been discovered, and researchers have determined that the disorder is transmitted genetically as an autosomal dominant trait. If a child's father has one of the genes and the mother has none of the genes for the disorder, what is the probability that the child will inherit this disorder?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the disorder is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait, the child only needs to inherit one copy of the gene from either parent to develop the disorder. Since the father has one of the genes, there is a 50% chance that the child will inherit it. The fact that the mother does not have the gene is irrelevant since the disorder is autosomal dominant.

A New Form of Dementia Has Just Been Discovered, and Researchers