(a)(i) Explain the term co-ordinance. (ii) Calculate the number of individuals with co-dominant blood group. (iii) What is the total number of individuals i...

Assessment: WAEC SSCE - Biology - 2014 (Essay) Subject: Biology

Question 1 Report

(a)(i) Explain the term co-ordinance.

(ii) Calculate the number of individuals with co-dominant blood group.

(iii) What is the total number of individuals in the table that are able to donate blood to an accident victim with blood group B?

(b) A man whose blood group is heterozygous A is married to a woman whose blood group is AB. With the aid of a genetic diagram, suggest the possible blood groups of their children.

A survey to determine blood groups was carried out on 250 people living in a community. The results are represented in the table below.

Blood group Percentage
A 8.0
B 14.0
AB 32.8
O 45.2
Answer Details

(a)(i) Co-dominance

Co-dominance is a condition in which both alleles of a gene are fully and equally expressed in a heterozygous individual. Neither allele masks the other. For example, \(I^A\) and \(I^B\) are co-dominant alleles; hence \(I^AI^B\) produces blood group AB.

Survey calculations

Blood groupPercentageNumber out of 250
A8.0%20
B14.0%35
AB32.8%82
O45.2%113

(a)(ii) The co-dominant blood group is AB.

\[\frac{32.8}{100}\times250=82\]

Therefore, 82 individuals have the co-dominant blood group.

(a)(iii) A person with blood group B can receive blood from persons with blood groups B and O.

\[\text{Number with group B}=\frac{14.0}{100}\times250=35\]

\[\text{Number with group O}=\frac{45.2}{100}\times250=113\]

\[35+113=148\]

Therefore, 148 individuals can donate blood to the accident victim with blood group B.

(b) Genetic diagram

Heterozygous blood group A man: \(I^Ai\)
Blood group AB woman: \(I^AI^B\)

Gametes from the man are \(I^A\) and \(i\), while gametes from the woman are \(I^A\) and \(I^B\).

figure
Punnett square for a heterozygous group A man, \(I^Ai\), and a group AB woman, \(I^AI^B\).

The possible genotypes and phenotypes of the children are:

  • \(I^AI^A\): blood group A
  • \(I^Ai\): blood group A
  • \(I^AI^B\): blood group AB
  • \(I^Bi\): blood group B

Thus, the possible blood groups are A, AB and B, in the ratio:

\[2\text{ A}:1\text{ AB}:1\text{ B}\]

That is, 50% blood group A, 25% blood group AB and 25% blood group B. No child will have blood group O.

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