What inheritance pattern does Duchenne muscular dystrophy follow?

What inheritance pattern does Duchenne muscular dystrophy follow?

• A. X-linked Recessive
• B. Autosomal Dominant
• C. Autosomal Recessive
• D. X-linked Dominant

Answer: (A)

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) follows an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. This means that the gene responsible for this condition is located on the X chromosome, and the disorder primarily affects males. In males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, having a single copy of the mutated gene (the recessive allele) on their X chromosome is sufficient to express the disease since there is no corresponding allele on the Y chromosome. Females, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes. Therefore, they typically would need two copies of the mutated gene to manifest the symptoms of DMD. Most females with one mutated gene are carriers of the condition and do not show symptoms, but they have a 50% chance of passing the mutated gene to their offspring. This inheritance pattern is crucial in understanding how DMD is transmitted through families and helps in identifying carriers and affected individuals through genetic testing. The X-linked recessive nature of this condition accounts for its higher prevalence in males, as they are more frequently affected due to their single X chromosome. Other inheritance patterns mentioned in the options, such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked dominant, do not accurately describe DMD's genetic transmission mechanisms or how it

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) follows an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern. This means that the gene responsible for this condition is located on the X chromosome, and the disorder primarily affects males. In males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, having a single copy of the mutated gene (the recessive allele) on their X chromosome is sufficient to express the disease since there is no corresponding allele on the Y chromosome.

Females, on the other hand, have two X chromosomes. Therefore, they typically would need two copies of the mutated gene to manifest the symptoms of DMD. Most females with one mutated gene are carriers of the condition and do not show symptoms, but they have a 50% chance of passing the mutated gene to their offspring.

This inheritance pattern is crucial in understanding how DMD is transmitted through families and helps in identifying carriers and affected individuals through genetic testing. The X-linked recessive nature of this condition accounts for its higher prevalence in males, as they are more frequently affected due to their single X chromosome.

Other inheritance patterns mentioned in the options, such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked dominant, do not accurately describe DMD's genetic transmission mechanisms or how it