Q.30 Fabry disease in humans is a X–linked disease. The probability (in percentage) for
a phenotypically normal father and a carrier mother to have a son with Fabry
disease is ____________.
Fabry disease follows X-linked recessive inheritance, so a phenotypically normal father (genotype XY, with normal X) and carrier mother (genotype XᶜX, where Xᶜ carries the disease allele) have a 50% chance of having a son with the disease. Among sons specifically, half inherit the mother’s diseased X chromosome (XᶜY, affected), while the other half get her normal X (XY, normal). Thus, the probability is 50%.
Punnett Square Analysis
The cross is: Father (XY) × Mother (XᶜX).
| Xᶜ (Mother) | X (Mother) | |
|---|---|---|
| X (Father) | XᶜX (carrier daughter) | XX (normal daughter) |
| Y (Father) | XᶜY (affected son) | XY (normal son) |
Each outcome has a 25% overall probability, but conditional on a son (50% of offspring), the affected son probability is 50%.
Option Explanations
No explicit options are listed, but common distractors for such questions include:
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0%: Incorrect; assumes no transmission to sons (true for affected fathers, not carriers).
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25%: Incorrect; confuses overall offspring probability with son-specific.
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50%: Correct; son inherits mother’s X chromosome, 50% chance it’s diseased.
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100%: Incorrect; would require homozygous mother.
Fabry disease X-linked inheritance makes it crucial for competitive exams like IIT JAM Biotechnology. This Fabry disease X-linked probability carrier mother son scenario tests core genetics: a phenotypically normal father (XY) and carrier mother (XᶜX) produce sons with 50% disease risk. Early mastery prevents errors in pedigree analysis.
Genetics of Fabry Disease
Fabry disease stems from GLA gene mutations on X chromosome, causing lysosomal storage issues. Males (XᶜY) show full symptoms; carrier females vary due to X-inactivation. Carrier mother passes diseased allele to 50% offspring regardless of sex.
Step-by-Step Probability Calculation
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Mother contributes Xᶜ or X (50% each) to son; father always gives Y.
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Son XᶜY: affected (50%); XY: normal (50%).
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Answer: 50 (no decimal needed for integer fill-in).
Exam Tips for X-Linked Questions
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Focus on son’s X from mother only.
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Use Punnett squares for clarity.
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Differentiate carrier vs. affected parents.