[Campbell Biology P.360] Why do extranuclear genes, such as those in mitochondria and chloro... | Practice Question

Why do extranuclear genes, such as those in mitochondria and chloroplasts, NOT follow Mendelian patterns of inheritance?

  • A: Because they are only found in plants, not animals.
  • B: Because they are not distributed to offspring according to the rules that govern nuclear chromosomes during meiosis.
  • C: Because they always undergo genomic imprinting.
  • D: Because they do not contain DNA.

Explanation

The text states that genes on organelle DNA 'are not distributed to offspring according to the same rules that direct the distribution of nuclear chromosomes during meiosis, so they do not display Mendelian inheritance.' Their inheritance is determined by how the cytoplasm is divided, which is primarily through the egg.