Sickle cell anemia is produced by a genetic defect in the amino acid sequence of hemoglobin. Persons who are homozygous for this allele have abnormal red blood cells, which characterize the disease. The blood cells of heterozygous persons appear normal and they are considered carriers. A test reveals that a man is heterozygous for the sickle cell allele but his wife is homozygous normal.

What is the probability of their children will be carriers of the disease allele?

Question

Landon Larson

Biology

3 August, 19:43

Sickle cell anemia is produced by a genetic defect in the amino acid sequence of hemoglobin. Persons who are homozygous for this allele have abnormal red blood cells, which characterize the disease. The blood cells of heterozygous persons appear normal and they are considered carriers. A test reveals that a man is heterozygous for the sickle cell allele but his wife is homozygous normal.

What is the probability of their children will be carriers of the disease allele?

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Answers (1)

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Osvaldo Orr · Answer 1

The probability is 1/2

Explanation:

Heterozygous for sickle cell allele is AS

Homozygous allele is SS

AS SS

The offspring formed include

AS, AS, SS, SS

The probability of their children being carriers include

Number of AS / Total number of offspring

= 2/4 = 1/2 or 0.5