Topic 6 - Inherited Disorders

Question 1

What is cystic fibrosis?

Answer 1

A disorder of the cell membranes.

Question 2

Is polydactyl caused by a dominant or recessive allele?

Answer 2

Dominant allele.

Question 3

Both parents have the allele Ff. What is the probability of the child being born with cystic fibrosis?

Answer 3

25% chance

Question 4

Kezia and Alex are having IVF. They both carry the recessive allele for spinal muscular atrophy. There are people with this condition that do not live passed two years old. Give two arguments for screening the embryo before it is planted in Kezia’s womb.

Answer 4

If they avoid planting the affected embryo, they will prevent the suffering of the baby if they get the disorder.
Treating disorders costs the NHS a lot of money.

Question 5

Kezia and Alex are having IVF. They both carry the recessive allele for spinal muscular atrophy. There are people with this condition that do not live passed two years old. Give three arguments against screening the embryo before it is planted in Kezia’s womb.

Answer 5

It implies that people with genetic disorders are dishonourable.
People will start to choose more desirable options that do not negate quality of life e.g. blond hair, blue eyes.
Screening costs a lot of money.