In a disputed parentage case, the child is blood type \(\mathrm{O},\) while the mother is blood type \(A .\) What blood type would exclude a male from being the father? Would the other blood types prove that a particular male was the father?

Short Answer

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Answer: A male with blood type B (BB or BO) or blood type AB (AB) would be excluded from being the father of the child, as these genotypes do not carry the O gene needed for a child with blood type O. However, it is important to note that having blood type A (AO) or type O (OO) does not necessarily prove that a particular male is the father, and only a paternity test could confirm the true biological relationship between a particular man and the child.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the ABO blood group system

Human blood types are determined by the presence, absence, or combination of two antigens, A and B. These antigens are inherited from our parents, with one gene coming from each parent. Blood type O is characterized by the absence of both A and B antigens, while blood type A has the A antigen. In total, there are 4 possible blood types: A, B, AB, and O which are determined by the combinations of A and B genes: AA, AO, BB, BO, AB, and OO.
02

Determine the possible blood type combinations for the mother and child

From the given information, the mother has blood type A. This means that she has either AA or AO genotypes. The child has blood type O, which means the genotype is OO. To obtain the OO genotype in the child, the mother must have given an O gene. Therefore, the mother must have AO genotype.
03

Determine the father's possible blood type combinations

The child's blood type is O which means he has an OO genotype. Since we know the mother gave one O gene, the father must also give an O gene for the child to have this genotype. Thus, the father's blood type must be either type O (OO) or type A (AO), since these are the only two genotypes that carry the O gene.
04

Find the blood type that would exclude a male from being the father

Based on the possible blood type combinations identified in step 3, a father with blood type B (BB or BO) or blood type AB (AB) would be excluded from being the father. These genotypes do not carry the O gene, and it would be impossible for a father with one of these blood types to have a child with blood type O when the mother is blood type A.
05

Discuss whether the remaining blood types prove that a particular male is the father

The remaining blood types that could be the father are type A (AO) or type O (OO). However, having one of these blood types does not necessarily prove that a particular male is the father of the child. This is because many other males could also have these blood types, and only a paternity test could confirm the true biological relationship between a particular man and the child.

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