Which inheritance pattern is described for the A and B globin chains of hemoglobin?

Which inheritance pattern is described for the A and B globin chains of hemoglobin?

• A. Recessive
• B. Dominant
• C. X-linked
• D. Mitochondrial

Answer: (A)

The A and B globin chains are produced from genes located on autosomes, and disorders that reduce their production (thalassemias) are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This means you typically need two defective copies to manifest clinically significant disease; individuals with only one defective allele are usually asymptomatic carriers. The pattern fits autosomal recessive inheritance because there’s no involvement of the X chromosome or mitochondrial inheritance, and a single mutant allele would not reliably cause disease.

The A and B globin chains are produced from genes located on autosomes, and disorders that reduce their production (thalassemias) are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This means you typically need two defective copies to manifest clinically significant disease; individuals with only one defective allele are usually asymptomatic carriers. The pattern fits autosomal recessive inheritance because there’s no involvement of the X chromosome or mitochondrial inheritance, and a single mutant allele would not reliably cause disease.