Blood samples are taken from the heel of newborn babies to test for a mutation in the PKU gene, which, if left untreated and in severe cases, can lead to mental retardation, reduced skin pigmentation, and seizures. Which concept is being illustrated by this example?
A) incomplete dominance
B) polygenic inheritance
C) pleiotropy
D) codominance

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pleiotropy refers to a single gene affecting multiple phenotypic traits. In this example, the mutation in the PKU gene can lead to mental retardation, reduced skin pigmentation, and seizures, indicating pleiotropic effects of this gene. Incomplete dominance, polygenic inheritance, and codominance do not accurately describe this scenario.

Blood Samples Are Taken from the Heel of Newborn Babies