Define the terms penetrance and expressivity and explain how they affect the expression of single gene traitsWhat will be an ideal response?


ANSWER: The terms penetrance and expressivity define two different aspects of phenotypic variation.
Penetrance is the probability that a disease phenotype will be present when the disease genotype is present. For example, if all individuals carrying the allele for a dominant disorder
have the mutant phenotype, the gene has 100% penetrance. If only 25% of those who carry
the mutant allele show the mutant phenotype, penetrance is 25%. If the phenotype of a trait is
present in less than 100% of those with the related genotype, the trait is said to show
incomplete penetrance. Expressivity refers to the range of phenotypes resulting from a given
genotype. For example, a genetic disorder called camptodactyly causes an unmovable, bent
little finger. All dominant allele homozygotes should have a bent little finger on both hands.
However, some of those affected have only one bent finger or normal fingers on both hands,
but must carry the mutant allele because it can be passed on to children, each of whom may
have some level of expression.

Biology & Microbiology

You might also like to view...

You have recently identified a molecule you believe to be a signaling molecule associated with signal transduction

All you know about this molecule is that it is hydrophilic; therefore, you expect it to interact with a receptor ____.

a. on the cell surface b. within the cytoplasm of the cell c. in the nucleus of the cell d. on the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane e. associated with the endoplasmic reticulum

Biology & Microbiology

Which one of the following statements is TRUE regarding the nitrogen cycle?

A) Nitrogen fixation results in the production of nitrogen from carbon. B) Atmospheric nitrogen is unavailable to living organisms because two nitrogen atoms are held tightly together by a triple covalent bond. C) Plants take up ammonia directly from the atmosphere. D) Once nitrogen is "fixed," it must then be converted to nitrogen gas before living organisms can use it. E) In a balanced ecosystem, nitrogen fixation occurs more often than denitrification.

Biology & Microbiology

If Meselson and Stahl let replication proceed for one more round of replication (3 rounds) what fraction of the daughter DNA molecules would be of intermediate density?

A: None B: ½ C: ¼ D: 1/8

Biology & Microbiology

Cyanobacteria obtain energy through ________

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Biology & Microbiology