What is triploidy and what is its most common consequence?

Triploidy is a chromosomal condition where an individual has three complete sets of chromosomes, resulting in a total of 69 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. This condition can occur due to various fertilization errors, such as the fertilization of an egg by two sperm or the fusion of a diploid gamete with a haploid gamete.

The most common consequence of triploidy is indeed a high rate of miscarriage. Most pregnancies affected by triploidy do not progress to term, and when babies are born, they often exhibit a range of congenital anomalies, including growth deficiencies and distinct physical features. These anomalies can affect multiple organ systems, leading to a short lifespan in those infants who do survive beyond birth. This aligns with the choice that indicates that triploidy often results in miscarriage, with survivors demonstrating various anomalies.

Other options presented do not accurately reflect the implications of triploidy. Normal development with three copies of each chromosome is not feasible due to the complications associated with gene dosage and interaction among those extra chromosomes. The idea that triploidy usually results in live births with typical phenotypes is also misleading, as most triploid pregnancies end in miscarriage, and if a live birth does occur, it is usually accompanied by severe