Drosophila P elements were discovered because ofa phenomenon called hybrid dysgenesis—sterilityof particular hybrid progeny. When scientists in the1970s crossed their D. melanogaster laboratorystrains to flies of the same species obtained fromnatural environments outside the lab, they observeda remarkable result: The progeny of the crosseswere sterile, but only when outside males werecrossed with lab strain females. Progeny resultingfrom crosses of outside females with lab maleswere perfectly normal.DNA analysis revealed that while the genomesof the outside flies contain P elements, the lab flygenomes have none. Apparently, P elements spreadthroughout the wild population of D. melanogasterafter the capture of the originators of present-daylaboratory strains over 100 years ago.a. The hybrid progeny are sterile because their germline cells have a high rate of mutation and chromosomal rearrangement (dysgenesis) caused by highrates of P element mobilization. Explain howP element movement can cause dysgenesi
Drosophila P elements were discovered because of
a phenomenon called hybrid dysgenesis—sterility
of particular hybrid progeny. When scientists in the
1970s crossed their D. melanogaster laboratory
strains to flies of the same species obtained from
natural environments outside the lab, they observed
a remarkable result: The progeny of the crosses
were sterile, but only when outside males were
crossed with lab strain females. Progeny resulting
from crosses of outside females with lab males
were perfectly normal.
DNA analysis revealed that while the genomes
of the outside flies contain P elements, the lab fly
genomes have none. Apparently, P elements spread
throughout the wild population of D. melanogaster
after the capture of the originators of present-day
laboratory strains over 100 years ago.
a. The hybrid progeny are sterile because their germline cells have a high rate of mutation and chromosomal rearrangement (dysgenesis) caused by high
rates of P element mobilization. Explain how
P element movement can cause dysgenesi
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