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autosomal recessive inheritance

(AW-toh-SOH-mul reh-SEH-siv in-HAYR-ih-tunts)
One of the ways a genetic trait or a genetic condition can be inherited. In autosomal recessive inheritance, a genetic condition occurs when one variant is present on both alleles (copies) of a given gene.
Drawing showing an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern between a father, mother, and their four children: an unaffected father (carrier) with a mutated gene and a normal gene on a chromosome pair; an unaffected mother (carrier) with a mutated gene and a normal gene; an unaffected daughter with two normal genes; an unaffected son (carrier) with a mutated gene and a normal gene; an unaffected daughter (carrier) with a mutated gene and a normal gene; and an affected son with two mutated genes.Enlarge this image in new window
Autosomal recessive inheritance is a way a genetic trait or condition can be passed down from parent to child. A genetic condition can occur when the child inherits one copy of a mutated (changed) gene from each parent. The parents of a child with an autosomal recessive condition usually do not have the condition. Unaffected parents are called carriers because they each carry one copy of the mutated gene and can pass it to their children.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Genetics Terms