Penetrance

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/penetrance

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the influence of genetic modifiers?Other genes can alter the expression of a primary gene, impacting penetrance
2. What is penetrance in genetics?Penetrance is the chance that a person who has a certain gene will actually show the trait or disease. It tells us how many people with the gene will have the trait.
3. Why do some people with the same gene not show the trait?This happens because of incomplete penetrance. Other genes or things in the environment, like diet or germs, can change whether the gene shows up.

Genotype: The specific genetic constitution of an individual, including the alleles they possess.
Phenotype: The observable characteristics or traits of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype and the environment.
Autosomal Dominant Inheritance: A mode of genetic inheritance where a single copy of a mutated gene on a non-sex chromosome is sufficient to cause a trait or disorder.
Modifier Genes: Genes that influence the phenotypic expression of other genes, affecting traits like penetrance and expressivity.