Question

Select the incorrect statement from the following

• A. Baldness is a sex-limited trait
• B. Linkage is an exception to the principle of independent assortment in heredity
• C. Galactosemia is an inborn error of metabolism
• D. Small population size results in random genetic drift in a population

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To determine which statement is incorrect, we need to understand the biological concepts related to each option.

1. Baldness is a sex-limited trait: This statement is incorrect. Baldness, specifically male pattern baldness, is actually a sex-influenced trait, not sex-limited. A sex-influenced trait means that the genes may be present in both sexes, but the expression of the trait is different in males compared to females. In this case, baldness is more prominently expressed in males due to hormonal differences but can be present in females as well.
2. Linkage is an exception to the principle of independent assortment in heredity: This statement is correct. Linkage refers to the phenomenon where genes that are located close to each other on the same chromosome tend to be inherited together, thereby not assorting independently according to Mendel's law.
3. Galactosemia is an inborn error of metabolism: This statement is correct. Galactosemia is a genetic disorder affecting the metabolism of galactose, a sugar, and is classified as an inborn error of metabolism.
4. Small population size results in random genetic drift in a population: This statement is correct. Genetic drift refers to random fluctuations in the frequencies of alleles within a population; these fluctuations have a larger impact when the population size is small.

Based on this analysis, the incorrect statement from the list is "Baldness is a sex-limited trait." The correct concept is that baldness is a sex-influenced trait.