Solution

An affected mother has three copies of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21).
During meiosis, the three chromosomes 21 are distributed so that half of her eggs receive two copies of chromosome 21 and half receive one copy.
The normal father gives one chromosome 21 in every sperm.
Egg with two copies + sperm with one = trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome); egg with one copy + sperm with one = normal.
So about 50% of the offspring would be affected.

Concept Transmission of trisomy 21

Chromosomal Disorders – Down's Syndrome in past papers

3 questions from this chapter have appeared across 3 exam years.