A student is completing a Punnett square for a trait (X/x) that is autosomal and inherited by the dominant allele. The father does not have it (xx), but the mother does (Xx). If they had two children, a son and a daughter, what would the completed Punnett square look like (i.e., would the son have the trait, would the daughter have the trait)?(1 point)

Responses

One child would inherit the trait and one child would not.
One child would inherit the trait and one child would not.

Each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the trait.
Each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the trait.

Both children would not inherit the trait.
Both children would not inherit the trait.

Both children would inherit the trait.
Both children would inherit the trait.
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1 answer

To solve this problem, we can create a Punnett square based on the genotypes of the parents.

The father's genotype is xx (no dominant allele), meaning he can only pass on x alleles. The mother's genotype is Xx (one dominant allele and one recessive allele), which means she can pass on either X or x alleles.

Here's how the Punnett square will look:

          X      x
      -----------------
    x |    Xx   |   xx   |
      -----------------
    x |    Xx   |   xx   |
      -----------------

From this Punnett square, the possible genotypes of their children are:

  • Xx (has the trait) - 50% chance
  • xx (does not have the trait) - 50% chance

Conclusion:

  • Children's inheritance results:
    • 50% chance for each child being Xx (inheriting the trait) and 50% chance for each child being xx (not inheriting the trait).

Thus, the correct response is: "One child would inherit the trait and one child would not." (This statement reflects the probabilities rather than guaranteeing the outcome for any specific child).