Question

Albinism, lack of pigmentation in humans, results from an autosomal recessive gene (a). Two

parents with normal pigmentation have an albino child. What is the probability that their next child
will be an albino girl?
A) 1/2
B) 1/8
C) 1/4
D) 3/4
E) 1/3

Answer 1

The probability that two carriers of an autosomal recessive gene will have an albino girl is 1/8.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the genetics of albinism, an autosomal recessive condition, and the probability of a specific phenotype and gender in the offspring of two carriers.

Albinism requires two copies of the recessive allele to be expressed, meaning both parents must be carriers of the recessive allele (having the genotype Aa) since they have normal pigmentation. For each child, there is a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting albinism (aa).

Gender is determined separately, with a 1 in 2 chance of being female. To find the probability of having an albino girl, we multiply the probabilities: 1/4 (chance of albinism) times 1/2 (chance of being female), resulting in 1/8.