231k views
1 vote
What is the coefficient of relationship (probability of identity by descent) of a human individual to one of its grandparents?

1) 1.0
2) 0.75
3) 0.5
4) 0.25
5) 0.125

User Mveerman
by
7.7k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The coefficient of relationship between a human individual and one of its grandparents is 0.25, meaning an individual shares 25% of their genetic material with one grandparent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The coefficient of relationship, which is the probability of identity by descent, measures how much genetic material is shared between relatives. For a human individual to one of its grandparents, this coefficient is 0.25 (or 25%).

Each parent carries two sets of genetic material, one of which is passed down to their children. A person inherits 50% (0.5) of their genetic material from each parent. Each parent, in turn, inherited 50% of their genetic material from each of their parents. Thus, an individual inherits 25% (the product of 0.5 x 0.5) of their genetic material from each grandparent. Therefore, the coefficient of relationship to one grandparent is 0.25, representing the shared genetic material between the grandchild and the grandparent.

User Archimedes Trajano
by
7.9k points