To examine: Whether the given statement, “each member of the human hemoglobin gene family, which consists of seven genes arranged in two clusters on different chromosomes, is an ortholog to all the other members” is true or false.
Introduction:
Orthologous and paralogous genes are the type of homologous genes that descended from a common DNA ancestral sequence. Orthologous genes follow the speciation and diverge to give rise to different species after evolution. Paralogous genes diverge from one another within one species.
Correct answer: The statement is false.
Explanation:
The human α- and β-globin gene families are arranged in a cluster. Each member in the cluster of hemoglobin gene family has exact DNA sequences. They arose by duplication from an ancient ancestral gene during evolution. Thus, they are classified as paralogous genes. These globin genes are orthologous to globin genes of other species.
Hence, the given statement is false.