The Basics of Blood Group Inheritance

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 104 views

**Understanding Blood Group Inheritance: A Comprehensive Guide**

Blood group inheritance is a complex process that involves the interaction of multiple genes. In this article, we will explore the basics of blood group inheritance, focusing on the specific scenario of a man with blood group AB and a woman who is heterozygous for blood group B.

The Basics of Blood Group Inheritance

2.3.1 How many alleles control the inheritance of blood groups?

Blood group inheritance is controlled by a single gene with three alleles: A, B, and O. The A and B alleles are codominant, while the O allele is recessive. This means that an individual can have one of six possible genotypes: AA, AO, BB, BO, AB, or OO.

2.3.2 Describe the type of dominance that occurs in the inheritance of blood group B in the offspring.

In the inheritance of blood group B, the A allele is codominant with the B allele. This means that an individual with the genotype AB will express both the A and B antigens on their red blood cells. The O allele is recessive, so an individual with the genotype OO will not express any A or B antigens.

Q: What is the genotype of a man with blood group AB?

A: A man with blood group AB can have one of two possible genotypes: AB or AO. Since the A and B alleles are codominant, the genotype AB will express both the A and B antigens on his red blood cells.

Q: What is the genotype of a woman who is heterozygous for blood group B?

A: A woman who is heterozygous for blood group B can have one of two possible genotypes: BO or BB. Since the B allele is dominant, the genotype BB will express the B antigen on her red blood cells.

Q: What is the probability that their offspring will inherit the B allele?

A: Since the woman is heterozygous for the B allele, there is a 50% chance that her offspring will inherit the B allele. If the man has the genotype AB, there is a 50% chance that his offspring will inherit the B allele.

Q: What is the probability that their offspring will have blood group AB?

A: Since the man has the genotype AB and the woman is heterozygous for the B allele, there is a 25% chance that their offspring will inherit the AB genotype. This is because the offspring must inherit one A allele from the man and one B allele from the woman.

Q: What is the probability that their offspring will have blood group O?

A: Since the man has the genotype AB and the woman is heterozygous for the B allele, there is a 25% chance that their offspring will inherit the OO genotype. This is because the offspring must inherit two O alleles, one from each parent.

Q: What is the probability that their offspring will have blood group B?

Q: What is the probability that their offspring will have blood group A?

A: Since the man has the genotype AB, there is a 50% chance that his offspring will inherit the A allele. If the woman is heterozygous for the B allele, there is a 50% chance that her offspring will inherit the A allele.

Blood group inheritance is a complex process that involves the interaction of multiple genes. In this article, we have explored the basics of blood group inheritance, focusing on the specific scenario of a man with blood group AB and a woman who is heterozygous for blood group B. We have also answered several questions related to blood group inheritance, providing a comprehensive guide to this important topic.

[1] AABB. (2019). Blood Group Nomenclature.
[2] National Blood Foundation. (2020). Blood Group Inheritance.
[3] Genetics Home Reference. (2020). Blood Group Inheritance.

[1] AABB. (2019). Blood Group Nomenclature.
[2] National Blood Foundation. (2020). Blood Group Inheritance.
[3] Genetics Home Reference. (2020). Blood Group Inheritance.

Codominant: A type of dominance where two alleles have an equal effect on the phenotype.
Dominant: A type of dominance where one allele has a greater effect on the phenotype than the other allele.
Recessive: A type of dominance where one allele has a lesser effect on the phenotype than the other allele.
Genotype: The genetic makeup of an individual.
Phenotype: The physical characteristics of an individual.