In the pedigree shown in Figure Q19–14, the first born in each of three generations is the only person affected by a dominant genetically inherited disease, D. Your friend concludes that the first child born has a greater chance of inheriting the mutant D allele than do later children.

A. According to Mendel’s laws, is this conclusion plausible?

B. What is the probability of obtaining this result by chance?

C. What kind of additional data would be needed to test your friend’s idea?

D. Is there any way in which your friend’s hypothesis might turn out to be right?

Transcribed Image Text:

Figure Q19-14 children grandchildren great-grandchildren