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RFLPs can be used to follow the inheritance of specific chromosomal regions that

ID: 64660 • Letter: R

Question

RFLPs can be used to follow the inheritance of specific chromosomal regions that are associated with a nearby defective gene. A concerned couple has come to you for genetic counseling. Although their first child appeared healthy, their second child died shortly after birth from an inherited genetic disease and the mother is once again pregnant. The dead child was the second n the family lineage to be affected: a brother of the paternal grandmother of the child was the other. Now the couple wishes to know if their unborn child is similarly affected. The deficiency resides is an autosomal recessive gene and the chromosomal region, in which the gene is located, has several RFLPs within the population has a whole. This is illustrated below, where the RFLP sites, A, B and C, are indicated with a + (if cleaved) or – (if uncleaved).

You isolate DNA samples from both parents, both sets of grandparents and the unaffected child and characterize them by RFLP mapping, generating the fingerprint shown above. You are now ready to test the fetus. What pattern will indicate to you that the fetus is likely to have inherited the disease? Explain your reasoning.

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Explanation / Answer

The below given pattern will indicate that the fetus is likely to have inherited the disease.

In the below fingerprint, the gene at the location 2 is absent in the fetus. This is due to the missing gene that is necessary for the production of a healthy baby.