Concept explainers
Neanderthal Hair Color The MCIR gene regulates pigmentation in humans (Sections 14.1 and 15.l revisited), .so loss-of-function mutations in this gene affect hair and .skin color. A person with two mutated alleles for this gene makes more of the reddish melanin than the brownish melanin, resulting in red hair and pa le skin. DNA extracted from two Neanderthal fossils contains a mutated MC1R allele that has not yet been found in humans, To see how the. Neanderthal mutation affects the function of the MC1R gene, Carles Lalueza-Fox and her team introduced the allele into cultured monkey cells (FIGURE 26.1 6).
FIGURE 26.16 MC1R activity in monkey cells transgenic for an unmutated MClR gene, the Neanderthal MC1R allele or the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP is- not related to MC1R.
What purpose do the cells with the gene for green fluorescent protein serve in this experiment?
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Chapter 26 Solutions
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
- Neanderthal Hair Color The MC1R gene regulates pigmentation in humans (Sections 14.1 and 15.1 revisited), so loss-of-function mutations in this gene affect hair and skin color. A person with two mutated alleles for this gene makes more of the reddish melanin than the brownish melanin, resulting in red hair and pale skin. DNA extracted from two Neanderthal fossils contains a mutated MC1R allele that has not yet been found in humans. To see how the Neanderthal mutation affects the function of the MC1R gene. Carles Lalueza-Fox and her team introduced the allele into cultured monkey cells (FIGURE 26.16). FIGURE 26.16 MC1R activity in monkey cells transgenic for an unmutated MC1R gene, the Neanderthal MC1R allele, or the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP). GFP is not related to MC1R. 1. How did MCR1 activity in monkey cells with the mutant allele differ from that in cells with the normal allele?arrow_forwardMany modern people have some Neanderthal DNAin their genome, but the Neanderthal alleles are notuniformly distributed across their genome. A person ofEuropean or Asian ancestry typically has 1.5 to 2 percent Neanderthal DNA in their autosomes. However, researchers have never found any Neanderthal alleles on the Y chromosome of a modern human. By one hypothesis, Neanderthal Y alleles disappeared because theywere incompatible with H. sapiens genes. Explain howreduced fitness in hybrids arising from genetic incompatibility could have, over time, led to the elimination of theNeanderthal Y alleles from the H. sapiens gene pool.arrow_forwardGenetics Question: In humans, an allele for black hair in one gene can mask the expression of color on a secondgene. In one family with 10 children, 7 have black hair like their parents, 2 with red hair, and onewith blond hair. The blond child soon came of age and married a man with red hair. All their children have red hair. a. What specific mode of inheritance is exhibited? b. Using the letters A and B, assign alleles to the traits c. Based on the 9:3:3:1 ratio, what are the genotypes of the following: 7 children with black hair ________________ 2 children with red hair ___________________ 1 child with blond hair ____________________ d. Give the COMPLETE genotypes of the following: Parents of the children ____________________ Man with red hair _________________________ All children (of the man) with red hair ________________arrow_forward
- Fill in the Blanks The genetic makeup of the organism is called its (blank1) , and the physical traits of an organism are called its (blank2) .arrow_forwardGene Expression and the Impact of a Mutation. Can someone help me to answer the question 8 and 9, please? 8. How has the mutation altered the polypeptide? Is the function of the hemoglobin molecule (which includes 2 ẞ-globin polypeptides and 2 a-globin polypeptides) impaired? (Read your book to learn more about sickle cell disease.) 9. What is the relationship between the genotype in this case and the individual's phenotype? asap pleasearrow_forwardHaving a mutant form of the gene XYZ is associated with a higher incidence of cancer than is seen in the general population. If mutant XYZ runs in a woman’s family, will she automatically get cancer? Explain why or why not.arrow_forward
- Our DNA is subject to mutations on a daily basis. Why do most mutations that occur in the genome of organisms escape detection and not elicit a deleterious effect? Why does the child of someone with cancer not necessarily develop cancer? Is it reasonable to state that mutations are essential to the evolutionary process?arrow_forwardAt the edge of the Arctic Circle, owls prey on field mice. Occasionally, in a litter of white field mice, a brown mouse appears. Because of greenhouse warming, the snow melts, changing the environment to shades of brown. The adaptations which allow survival and reproduction of a certain color of mice in the new environment is due to: variation. lethal mutations. acquired traits. isolation.arrow_forwardHigher mutation rate in human sperm thanin human eggs WHY?arrow_forward
- Skin cancer requires a number of mutations, several of which are often caused by the sun in individual skin cells. With this is mind, if you develop melanoma (skin cancer) on your arm, will you pass on that same melanoma to your offspring? Why or why not? Explain in your own words.arrow_forwardThe dog breed West Highland Terrier is a product of artificial selection. Give a brief description of the breed and its desired traits. What wild ancestor did it come from? Was it produced with selective breeding or genetic engineering (i.e. genetically modified)? What are the benefits of artificial selection in this case? Are there potential negative consequences?arrow_forwardA form of learning disabilities and speech impairment results from a recessive mutation in the HERC2 gene. The next 4 questions are about this mutation. In a small Amish village in Ohio, about 5 per 1000 births are affected with this disorder. Assume Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. What is the frequency of the dominant WT HERC2 allele in this small village? A form of learning disabilities and speech impairment results from a recessive mutation in the HERC2 gene. The next 4 questions are about this mutation. Part a: In a small Amish village in Ohio, about 5 per 1000 births are affected with this disorder. Assume Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. What is the frequency of the dominant WT HERC2 allele in this small village? a)0.005 b)0.995 c)0.07 d)0.93 Part b: What is the estimated total number of homozygous dominant individuals in this village of 1000 people? a) 70 b) 930 c) 860 d) 140arrow_forward
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