Question

Anticipation is the

a)effect of environmental factors on the expression of a genetic trait
b)stronger or earlier expression of a trait as it is passed from generation to generation.
c)proportion of individuals with a genotype that express the expected phenotype
d)sudden appearance of a genetic disease in a family without any prior history of the disorder
e)prediction of genetic risk by examination of the DNA

Answer 1

Anticipation in genetics is the stronger or earlier expression of a trait in successive generations, especially seen in certain genetic disorders. It reflects how genetic expressions can intensify as they pass down. Studies in genetics and epigenetics show interactions between genotype, environment, and phenotype.

Step-by-step explanation:

Anticipation, in genetics, is b)the stronger or earlier expression of a trait as it is passed from generation to generation. This phenomenon is typically observed in certain genetic disorders, such as Huntington's disease and myotonic dystrophy, where the signs and symptoms become more severe or appear at an earlier age as the disorder is passed down through generations.

Understanding anticipation helps medical professionals and scientists to predict the inheritance patterns of such disorders. It's important to note, though, that while most traits and diseases are indeed influenced by genetics, the environment can significantly affect the expression of these traits. Over 100 years of genetics studies, including Mendel's Theory of Inheritance, population genetics, and the modern understanding of epigenetics, have led to increased knowledge about how genotypes and environments interact to result in various phenotypes within a population.