Match each statement (a–e) with the best answer from the following list: consultand, 50%, prior probability, 66.7%, obligate carrier, 100%.

The probability that the son of a woman with an autosomal recessive condition is a heterozygous carrier

Key Concepts

Autosomal Recessive Inheritance

Autosomal recessive inheritance occurs when a trait or condition is expressed only when an individual has two copies of the recessive allele, one inherited from each parent. If a parent has an autosomal recessive condition, they are homozygous for the recessive allele, while the other parent may be a carrier (heterozygous) or also affected. Understanding this inheritance pattern is crucial for calculating the probability of offspring being carriers.

Carrier Probability

Carrier probability refers to the likelihood that an individual carries one copy of a recessive allele for a genetic condition without expressing the condition themselves. In the context of a son born to a woman with an autosomal recessive condition, the probability that he is a carrier depends on the genotype of the father. If the father is not affected and is not a carrier, the son has a 50% chance of being a carrier.

Prior Probability

Prior probability is the initial estimation of the likelihood of an event occurring before considering additional evidence. In genetics, it often refers to the baseline chance of an offspring inheriting a particular genotype based on parental genotypes. In this scenario, the prior probability of the son being a carrier is influenced by the mother's known condition and the father's genotype, which must be assessed to determine the overall probability.