Genetics carrier

[ZZZ the foxbat]

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If a question says "a color-blind (autosomal recessive) man marries a healthy woman," do we assume the woman is homozygous dominant or it is possible that she can be a carrier (heterozygous) ?

Thank you!

 

[wizzed101]

Is the disease rare? If yes, the woman must be assumed homozygous dominant. If it is just a polymorphic trait like hair colors,, you cannot say anything. More info is needed.

 

[Stagg737]

Generally speaking, "healthy" refers to a homozygous trait in the world of medical questions. If she's a carrier then she will be referred to as such to avoid an ambiguity (that is if the person writing the question isn't a total douche). When it's something that expresses co-dominance or penetrance, you'd typically either be told the specific trait/genotype or be given clinical information which will allow you to identify their genotype.

 

[ZZZ the foxbat]

Is the disease rare? If yes, the woman must be assumed homozygous dominant. If it is just a polymorphic trait like hair colors,, you cannot say anything. More info is needed.

The disease is color-blindness. So I guess healthy means homozygous dominant. Thanks!

 

[ZZZ the foxbat]

Generally speaking, "healthy" refers to a homozygous trait in the world of medical questions. If she's a carrier then she will be referred to as such to avoid an ambiguity (that is if the person writing the question isn't a total douche). When it's something that expresses co-dominance or penetrance, you'd typically either be told the specific trait/genotype or be given clinical information which will allow you to identify their genotype.

That makes sense, thanks a lot!