Question

Could the characteristics followed in the pedigree be caused by an X-linked recessive allele?

a. Yes, all individuals fit the X-linked recessive inheritance pattern.
b. No, the offspring of I-1 and I-2 contradict an X-linked recessive inheritance.
c. No, the offspring of I-3 and I-4 contradict an X-linked recessive inheritance.
d. No, the offspring of II-3 and II-4 contradict an X-linked recessive inheritance.
e. Possibly, but I-4 would have to be a heterozygous carrier if there is X-linked inheritance.

Answer 1

Yes, the characteristics observed in the pedigree could potentially be explained by an X-linked recessive allele, especially if individual I-4 is considered a heterozygous carrier.

Step-by-step explanation:

Considering an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern, the characteristics in the pedigree could be caused by such an allele. For instance, if individual I-4 were a heterozygous carrier (which is not uncommon in X-linked recessive inheritance), this would explain the observed patterns in offsprings. If a mother is a carrier of an X-linked recessive disorder and the father is normal, 50 percent of the sons would be affected, and 50 percent of the daughters would become carriers without showing the disease phenotypically.