Problem 16

The pedigree below traces the inheritance of alkaptonuria, a biochemical disorder. Affected individuals, indicated here by the filled-in circles and squares, are unable to break down a substance called alkapton, which colors the urine and stains body tissues. Does alkaptonuria appear to be caused by a dominant or recessive allele?

Recessive

Fill in the genotypes of the individuals whose genotypes you know. What genotypes are possible for each of the other individuals?

If alkaptonuria is recessive George must be a carrier. See below.

 

If alkaptonuria is dominant Carla could not have the disease, as indicated in the pedigree chart, since the parents do not express the trait. See Below.