Recessive lethal

Recessive lethal is a genetic condition where an organism dies when it inherits a certain allele from both parents. This condition is a type of Mendelian inheritance pattern, named after the scientist Gregor Mendel who first discovered the principles of heredity.

Overview

A recessive lethal allele is one that, when present in two copies (homozygous), results in the death of the organism. This can occur before or after birth, depending on the specific allele and the organism in question. The term "recessive lethal" is used because the lethal allele is masked or "recessed" when a dominant allele is also present.

Examples

One example of a recessive lethal condition in humans is Tay-Sachs disease. This is a neurodegenerative disorder that is typically fatal in early childhood. Other examples include Cystic fibrosis and Sickle cell disease, both of which can be life-threatening if not properly managed.

Genetic Mechanisms

Recessive lethal alleles can occur as a result of various genetic mechanisms. These include mutations that disrupt the function of essential genes, as well as chromosomal abnormalities that result in the loss of large sections of DNA.

Implications

The existence of recessive lethal alleles has important implications for genetic counseling and population genetics. For example, they can help explain why certain genetic disorders are more common in populations with a high degree of consanguinity (marriage between close relatives).

See also

• Dominant lethal mutation
• Genetic disorder
• Genetic carrier

Recessive lethal Resources
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