Question

Marfan syndrome is the result of inheriting a single allele. Individuals with Marfan syndrome are tall and long-limbed, and have both cardiovascular and eye defects. The inheritance of Marfan syndrome is an example of ______. a) a recessive disorder b) pleiotropy c) codominance d) incomplete dominance

Answer 1

Answer:

pleiotropy

Explanation:

• When a single gene influences more than one phenotype that is unrelated to each other then this phenomenon is termed as pleiotropy.
• The gene that causes pleiotropy is called a pleiotropic gene.
• In the given question, the disease that is Marfan syndrome is occurring due to the inheritance of a single allele that is defective. However, this single gene is affecting various phenotypes such as the length of the limbs, the cardiovascular system and the eyes and all these different characters affected are quite unrelated to each other.
• Therefore, it can be said that Marfan Syndrome is an example of a pleiotropic condition.