Question

Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder involving a partial deletion of chromosome 15q on the paternal chromosome. When both copies of a gene (or chromosome) are functional but only one is expressed, this is an example of ________.

Answer 1

Answer:

monoallelic gene expression

Explanation:

Monoallelic expression is a type of gene expression where only a copy out of the two copies of a gene is expressed and the other is silent.

A gene is usually represented by two alleles representing alternate forms of the same character. Individuals inherit an allele each from their two parents for every gene within their genomes.

When only one of the alleles is expressed for a particular gene while the other allele remains silent, such phenomenon is referred to as monoallelic gene expression.