Date | May 2022 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 22M.2.SL.TZ1.4 |
Level | Standard level | Paper | Paper 2 | Time zone | Time zone 1 |
Command term | State | Question number | 4 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The pedigree chart shows the incidence of hemophilia in some of the descendants of Queen Victoria.
State the probability that Edward had hemophilia.
Explain the reasons for none of the females in the pedigree chart having hemophilia.
Markscheme
0.5/50 %;
- hemophilia is X-linked/sex-linked/carried on the X chromosome;
- females have two X chromosomes
OR
males only have one X chromosome; - hemophilia is caused by a recessive allele;
- (trait) must be on both alleles to be expressed
OR
females would require the allele on both X chromosomes to have the disease
OR
females can be carriers when allele is only on one chromosome;
Examiners report
Approximately 50 % of the candidates were correct with their answer of 50 %. It was expected that candidates would recognize that Edward is male because he has a box rather than circle in the pedigree. Then from there, they would calculate the 50 %.
There were many good answers for this question showing understanding of haemophilia being sex linked and recessive Quite a number then failed to get the third mark by being too vague in their explanations. Some candidates thought that hemophilia is carried on Y chromosome; many understand that females have two X chromosomes; talk about females as carriers was often seen, but without any details to expand the answer; or that males are most likely to have hemophilia but, again, no details; for the most part answers showed shallow understanding.