Lisa has a rare genetic defect that causes acute sun-sensitivity. Her mother has the defect, but her father does not. All of Lisa's siblings, two brothers and a sister, are also affected. All four siblings are married, but none of their spouses has the mutant gene. Draw a pedigree for this family. Identify and explain the most likely mode of transmission for this disorder

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The most likely mode of transmission for this disorder is via maternal mitochondria. Mitochondria carry DNA molecules that encode information for 37 mitochondrial genes. Mitochondria are transmitted from mothers to all their children through the cytoplasm of the egg (sperm do not contribute cytoplasm or mitochondria at fertilization). As a result, genetic disorders caused by mutations in mitochondria are maternally inherited and produce a distinctive pattern of inheritance. All the children of affected females are affected. Affected females will transmit the disorder to all their offspring, but affected males cannot transmit the mutations to any of their children.

Biology & Microbiology

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Biology & Microbiology