If a woman has an X-linked recessive disorder, all of her sons will have it.Group of answer choicesFalseTrueNext

1. Break Down the Problem

The question addresses the inheritance of an X-linked recessive disorder and its implications for the sons of a mother who has the disorder. We need to analyze how X-linked traits are passed down from parents to offspring, particularly focusing on sons in this context.

2. Relevant Concepts

• X-linked recessive disorders are located on the X chromosome.
• Males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while females have two X chromosomes (XX).
• A son inherits his X chromosome from his mother and his Y chromosome from his father.

3. Analysis and Detail

If the woman has an X-linked recessive disorder, her genotype will be represented as X^dX, where X^d is the X chromosome carrying the disorder, and X is the normal X chromosome. When she has sons (XY), each son will inherit one of her X chromosomes. The possibilities are:

1. If the son inherits X^d (the affected X), he will manifest the disorder.
2. If he inherits the normal X (X), he will not have the disorder.

Thus, not all sons will necessarily have the disorder; it depends on which X chromosome they inherit from their mother.

4. Verify and Summarize

Since the mother carries one normal X chromosome and one X chromosome with the disorder, on average, half of her sons (50%) are expected to inherit the disorder. Therefore, it is incorrect to state that all of her sons will have the disorder.

Final Answer

False: Not all of her sons will have the disorder; only the sons who inherit the affected X chromosome will have it.