Question

Which is the most likely explanation for a child exhibiting a heritable trait that neither parent exhibits

Answer 1

The most likely explanation for a child exhibiting a heritable trait that neither parent exhibits is a process called genetic recombination or genetic mutation. Genetic recombination occurs during the formation of egg and sperm cells when genetic material from both parents combines and reshuffles to create a unique combination of genes in the offspring. This process can lead to the expression of traits that are not apparent in either parent. Additionally, genetic mutations can also occur spontaneously in the DNA of egg or sperm cells, resulting in new traits that are not present in either parent.