Same allele group also called as?

Appeared in: PGIMER Sangrur NO - 2023

Explanation

An individual is described as homozygous for a specific gene when they have inherited two identical versions, or alleles, of that gene from their parents.
The prefix 'homo-' is Greek for 'same,' which directly aligns with the concept of a 'same allele group.'.
For example, if 'A' is the allele for brown eyes and 'a' is for blue eyes, a person with an 'AA' or 'aa' genotype is homozygous.

Option B: This is a general term meaning 'diverse in character or content.' While related, the precise genetic term is 'heterozygous,' which describes having two different alleles for a trait (e.g., Aa).
Option C: Genotype refers to the complete set of genetic material of an organism. It describes the combination of alleles an individual has (e.g., AA, Aa, or aa), rather than the specific state of having two identical alleles.
Option D: This term relates to behavioral ecology and describes a mating system where one male mates with multiple females. It is entirely unrelated to the genetic composition of alleles.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Basic genetic terminology, specifically the definition of homozygous as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding terms like homozygous and heterozygous is fundamental for genetic counseling and assessing the risk of inherited diseases.
Many autosomal recessive disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis, only manifest clinically when an individual is homozygous for the recessive allele.
Genetic testing reports use these terms to describe a patient's genetic makeup, which informs diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decisions.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of basic genetic definitions.
Identify the key phrase in the question stem: 'Same allele group.'
Analyze the prefixes of the options. 'Homo-' means 'same,' and 'hetero-' means 'different.'
Based on the prefix, 'Homozygous' is the most logical choice for a 'same allele group.'
Confirm this by defining the other options. 'Genotype' is the overall genetic makeup, and 'Polygynous' is an unrelated biological term, confirming they are incorrect.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Basic genetic terminology, specifically the definition of homozygous.
Stem keywords: same, allele, group
Lead-in keywords: also called as

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 1691-1693

Practise the full PGIMER Sangrur NO - 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.