This figure depicts red blood cells from a mother, a father, and their child. The mother and father are the biological parents of the child.
What is the mother's genotype for ABO blood type?

Question

This figure depicts red blood cells from a mother, a father, and their child. The mother and father are the biological parents of the child.

What is the mother's genotype for ABO blood type?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mother's genotype for ABO blood type can be deduced from the child's blood type and the possible genotypes of the mother and father. The child's blood type indicates that they inherited an "i" allele from both parents, which means both parents must at least be carriers of the "i" allele. The father could be homozygous for the "i" allele, which would give him the genotype ii, or he could be heterozygous for ABO blood type, giving him the genotype Ii. The mother must be heterozygous for ABO blood type and also a carrier of the "i" allele, which would give her the genotype I^Ai. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

This Figure Depicts Red Blood Cells from a Mother, a Father