Principles of Inheritance and Variation Question 75

75. Which one pair of the following parents is most likely to get a child who suffer from hemolytic disease of new born?

[2000]

(a) Rh-negative mother and Rh-positive father

(b) Rh-positive mother and Rh-negative father

(c) $Rh$-negative mother and $Rh$-negative father

(d) $Rh$-positive mother and Rh-positive father

Show Answer

Answer : a

Hints & Solution

(a) Hemolytic disease of the newborn occurs when a $Rh^{-}$mother conceives a $Rh^{+}$child. Mother’s blood starts producing antibodies against the foetal red blood cells.