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Ch. 6 - Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bacteriophages
Sanders - Genetic Analysis: An Integrated Approach 3rd Edition
Sanders3rd EditionGenetic Analysis: An Integrated ApproachISBN: 9780135564172Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 6, Problem A.1a

Match each statement (a–e) with the best answer from the following list: consultand, 50%, prior probability, 66.7%, obligate carrier, 100%.
The Mendelian risk that a person is a heterozygous carrier of a recessive condition

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1
Understand the problem: The question asks to match statements with terms related to genetics, specifically probabilities and carrier statuses in Mendelian inheritance.
Identify the key term in the statement: 'The Mendelian risk that a person is a heterozygous carrier of a recessive condition.' This refers to the probability of being a carrier for a recessive trait.
Recall the concept of Mendelian inheritance: In recessive conditions, a heterozygous carrier has one dominant allele and one recessive allele. The probability of being a carrier depends on the genetic relationship and inheritance patterns.
Determine the probability: For a recessive condition, if one parent is a carrier and the other is unaffected, the probability of the offspring being a carrier is 50%.
Match the statement with the correct answer: Based on the explanation, the best match for 'The Mendelian risk that a person is a heterozygous carrier of a recessive condition' is '50%'.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mendelian Inheritance

Mendelian inheritance refers to the principles of heredity established by Gregor Mendel, which describe how traits are passed from parents to offspring. It includes concepts such as dominant and recessive alleles, where a recessive condition requires two copies of the recessive allele for expression. Understanding these principles is crucial for determining carrier status and the likelihood of passing on genetic conditions.
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Carrier Status

A carrier is an individual who possesses one copy of a recessive allele for a genetic condition but does not exhibit the condition themselves. In the context of recessive disorders, heterozygous carriers have a 50% chance of passing the recessive allele to their offspring. Recognizing carrier status is essential for assessing the risk of genetic conditions in families.
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Prior Probability

Prior probability refers to the initial likelihood of an event occurring before any new evidence is considered. In genetics, it often pertains to the baseline risk of being a carrier for a recessive condition based on population statistics. This concept is vital for understanding how genetic counseling and risk assessment are conducted, particularly in determining the chances of offspring being affected by genetic disorders.
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