Question

In ZZ/ZW system if there is a recessive Z allele carrying a distinct phenotype, it will have greater probability of expression in ____________

(a) Male

(b) Female

(c) Recessive genes will not be expressed

(d) Both genders equally

I had been asked this question by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

This intriguing question originated from Other Methods of Sex Determination topic in division Chromosomes and Sex Determination of Cytogenetics

Answer 1

The correct option is (b) Female

To explain I would say: Females being heterozygous will lack the compensating functional copy from other Z chromosomes will express it with greater probability. This is similar to the fact that X linked recessive disorder in mammals is expressed more in males.