Correct Option (c)
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct. Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) is a set of advanced reproductive technologies aimed at preventing the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from a mother to her child. These techniques involve replacing the defective mitochondria in an egg or embryo with healthy mitochondria from a donor. This intervention can be performed either before fertilization (e.g., using techniques like Spindle Transfer, where the nuclear DNA from the intended mother's egg is transferred to a donor egg with healthy mitochondria) or after fertilization (e.g., Pronuclear Transfer, where pronuclei from a fertilized egg of the intended parents are transferred to a donor egg that has been fertilized and had its pronuclei removed). Both approaches are typically used in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures.
Statement 2 is correct. Mitochondria, which are organelles responsible for cellular respiration and energy production, contain their own distinct DNA (mtDNA). Unlike nuclear DNA, which is inherited from both parents, mitochondrial DNA is inherited almost exclusively from the mother. This is because sperm contribute very few or no mitochondria to the zygote during fertilization. Consequently, any mitochondrial diseases, which arise from mutations in mtDNA, are passed down entirely from the mother to her offspring, and not from the father.
Incorrect Options
Option (a) is incorrect because while Statement 1 is factually correct, Statement 2 is also correct, making option (c) the appropriate answer.
Option (b) is incorrect because while Statement 2 is factually correct, Statement 1 is also correct, making option (c) the appropriate answer.
Option (d) is incorrect because both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are accurate regarding the prevention of mitochondrial diseases and their inheritance patterns, thus the option "Neither 1 nor 2" is incorrect.