Karen is right handed (Hh) and married Clint, who is left handed (hh). What are the chances their child will be left handed?

Answer 1

To determine the chances of their child being left-handed, we need to consider the genetic inheritance of hand dominance.

Since Karen is right-handed (Hh), she carries both the dominant allele (H) for right-handedness and the recessive allele (h) for left-handedness. On the other hand, Clint is left-handed (hh), carrying two copies of the recessive allele (h) for left-handedness.

To calculate the probability, we need to use a Punnett square. Cross Karen's alleles (Hh) with Clint's alleles (hh):

h h
H | Hh Hh
h | Hh Hh

From the Punnett square, we can see the following:

- There is a 50% chance that the child will inherit the allele for left-handedness (h) from Karen.
- There is a 100% chance that the child will inherit the allele for left-handedness (h) from Clint.

Therefore, the chances of their child being left-handed is 50% (from Karen) multiplied by 100% (from Clint), which equals a 50% chance.