Pattern of familial transmission of intelligence from one generation to other is investigated in which of the following?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is Linkage analysis studies.
1. Linkage analysis studies are a genetic research method used to study the inheritance patterns of traits or conditions (like intelligence) within families. These studies aim to identify genetic markers that are inherited together with a particular trait, thus determining if the trait (e.g., intelligence) has a genetic basis. Linkage analysis investigates the transmission of genes from one generation to the next, particularly focusing on the relationship between specific genes and complex traits.
2. Linkage studies are crucial for understanding how genetic variations contribute to familial transmission of intelligence.

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2. Adoption Studies
2.1. Adoption studies are used to examine the influence of genetic and environmental factors on traits like intelligence. In these studies, researchers compare the traits of adopted children with those of their biological and adoptive parents.
2.2. Adoption studies help determine whether a trait is more influenced by genetic inheritance (from biological parents) or by the environment (from adoptive parents).
2.3. If a child’s intelligence is more similar to their biological parents than to their adoptive parents, it suggests that intelligence may be genetically influenced. On the other hand, similarities with adoptive parents would indicate a greater role for environmental factors.

3. Association Studies
3.1. Association studies focus on identifying genetic variants that are associated with specific traits or conditions. In the context of intelligence, association studies aim to find genes that may influence intellectual ability.
3.2. Unlike linkage studies, which track the inheritance of entire chromosomal regions, association studies examine specific genetic markers to determine if they are more frequent in individuals with a particular trait.
3.3. While association studies can provide insights into the genetic basis of intelligence, they are not focused on familial transmission and are used to identify the relationship between specific genes and the trait.

4. Segregation Analysis Studies
4.1. Segregation analysis studies are used to investigate the inheritance pattern of genetic traits within families. These studies analyze how a specific trait (e.g., intelligence) is passed down through generations, typically assessing whether the inheritance follows a Mendelian pattern (dominant, recessive, etc.).
4.2. In segregation analysis, researchers analyze family pedigrees to determine whether a trait follows a specific genetic inheritance pattern. This is more concerned with determining the genetic model (e.g., autosomal dominant or recessive) rather than identifying specific genetic markers linked to intelligence.
4.3. Segregation analysis can provide valuable insights into the genetic transmission of intelligence, but it is not primarily focused on familial transmission in the context of the environmental influences or gene-environment interactions like linkage analysis.