Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited blood disorder. A dominant allele (TTT) results in normal hemoglobin production. A recessive allele (ttt) results in a severe reduction of functional hemoglobin, causing beta-thalassemia major.
What is meant by the term dominant?
What are the two different genotypes of individuals who do not suffer from beta-thalassemia major?
State the genotypes of both parents, and all possible genotypes of their offspring, for a cross between a heterozygous father and a heterozygous mother. Use the symbols TTT and ttt.
What is the probability of these parents producing a child with beta-thalassemia major?
What is the phenotype ratio of individuals without beta-thalassemia major to those with beta-thalassemia major?
Beta-thalassemia major leads to a severe deficiency of functional hemoglobin in red blood cells. Suggest how this might affect the body's ability to perform aerobic respiration in muscle cells.
