Question

When certain character is inherited only through the female parent, it probably represents the case of:

• A. Mendelian nuclear inheritance
• B. Multiple plastid inheritance
• C. Cytoplasmic inheritance
• D. Incomplete dominance

Answer 1

The correct option is C Cytoplasmic inheritance

The inheritance of nuclear genes is characterised by the fact that the genes from male and female parents contribute equally to the genetic constitution of the offspring. However, the inheritance of certain characters do not occur within the nucleus, but they are present in the cytoplasm and their transmission or inheritance is not controlled by nuclear genes. This is extra-chromosomal inheritance, extra-nuclear inheritance, maternal inheritance or cytoplasmic inheritance. It involves inheritance of characteristics of only one of the two parents, usually the female parent.