Name and explain the different modes of inheritance.
Modes of Inheritance:
- Autosomal dominant inheritance; In this mode of inheritance you only need the abnormal gene (e.g. a dominant allele) from one parent for you to inherit the disease.
- Autosomal recessive inheritance; In this mode of inheritance two copies of an abnormal gene (i.e. two recessive alleles) must be present for the disease or trait to develop.
- Sex (X/Y) linked inheritance; This mode of inheritance results from a mutant gene located on either the X or Y chromosome.
- Mitochondrial inheritance; The inheritance of a trait encoded in the mitochondrial genome. Mitochondria have their own DNA, this mode of inheritance is always of maternal origin.
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