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Question #45410

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

A female patient diagnosed with Turner's syndrome (45, XO) presents with rudimentary ovaries, short stature, and an altered endocrine profile. In normal females (46, XX), one X chromosome is typically inactivated (forming a Barr body) to maintain gene dosage equivalence with males. Which of the following statements correctly explains why the loss of one X chromosome in Turner's syndrome causes severe endocrine and phenotypic anomalies despite the normal occurrence of X-inactivation in XX females?

Options

  • A.

    The entire X chromosome remains transcriptionally active in the target endocrine tissues of normal females, whereas the required hormone receptors are completely absent in Turner's syndrome.

  • B.

    Haploinsufficiency occurs because genes located in the pseudoautosomal regions (PAR) normally escape X-inactivation, reducing the dosage of critical developmental and receptor proteins in 45, XO individuals.

  • C.

    The absence of the second X chromosome alters the cellular location of steroid hormone receptors from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, preventing target gene expression.

  • D.

    Turner's syndrome represents a case of polyploidy where the altered ratio of autosomes to sex chromosomes directly inhibits the secretion of gonadotropins from the anterior pituitary.

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Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Comparative_Analysis

Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.

Concepts Behind This Question

Turner_Syndrome|Estrogen_Receptor|Gene_Dosage_Effect

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that 'one X chromosome is inactivated in females' but fail to reconcile this with why 45, XO (Turner's) presents a diseased phenotype.

The pivot is understanding that X-inactivation is incomplete (PAR genes escape) and that the 'gene dosage' (haploinsufficiency) of these specific escaping genes dictates the endocrine phenotype.

Furthermore, Option D tests the critical NCERT distinction between Aneuploidy (loss/gain of individual chromosomes due to non-disjunction) and Polyploidy (failure of cytokinesis leading to extra sets of chromosomes).

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectBiology
ChapterChemical Coordination and Integration - Class 11
ConceptHormone Receptors Location
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load5
Target Solve Time120 sec
AccessFree