Question 1

Mutations that eliminate a contiguous region in the Drosophila embryo's segmentation pattern are called _.

Accepted Answer

A)  homeodomains 
B)  compartment genes 
C)  linkage genes 
D)  gap genes 
E)  segment genes 
A)  homeodomains 
B)  compartment genes 
C)  linkage genes 
D)  gap genes 
E)  segment genes D

Question 2

Explain the differences between differentiation and determination. Provide examples of each process and indicate how each is involved in development.

Accepted Answer

Determination is the early commitment of a cell to an eventual developmental fate. Differentiation is the set of functional and structural changes associated with the expression of that developmental fate. When nuclei of the developing Drosophila embryo reach the blastoderm stage, they become determined.
Differentiation of the cells in Drosophila occurs during metamorphosis.
Development, therefore, probably depends first on the determination of cells, then on the differentiation of cells.

Question 3

Segmentation genes, such as the pair -rule class, are inherited through mitochondrial DNA in Drosophila.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

Give a brief definition of a homeobox. 30)

Accepted Answer

a highly conserved genetic ele

Question 5

From a human developmental standpoint, what is the significance of Hox genes? 29)

Accepted Answer

Hox genes are highly conserved among all

Question 6

Define determination and differentiation.

Accepted Answer

Determination is the early commitment of

Question 7

Molecular/structural orientations (gradients) in an egg are thought to play a significant role in development. What is the origin of such gradients? What evidence indicates
that the maternal genotype is involved in providing such gradients?

Accepted Answer

In examples of maternal effects, the mot

Question 8

Provide a brief description of the variable gene activity hypothesis as it relates to development. What information is often provided in support of this hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

Because all cells apparently have the sa

Question 9

A homeobox gene is one that produces a group of repetitive base sequences such as a VNTR.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of the Notch pathway?

Accepted Answer

A)  It directs mRNAs to antisense systems in the posterior portion of all organisms. 
B)  It works through direct cell -to -cell contact. 
C)  It provides symmetry to plant flowers. 
D)  It works through nuclear signals involving the lac operon. 
E)  It allows mRNAs to accumulate in the posterior portion of the Drosophila embryo. 
A)  It directs mRNAs to antisense systems in the posterior portion of all organisms. 
B)  It works through direct cell -to -cell contact. 
C)  It provides symmetry to plant flowers. 
D)  It works through nuclear signals involving the lac operon. 
E)  It allows mRNAs to accumulate in the posterior portion of the Drosophila embryo.

Question 11

Genetic involvement in development appears to be achieved, at least in part, by variable gene activity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Determination is the process whereby a cell's eventual developmental fate is set. 32)

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

How do segment polarity genes relate to pair -rule genes? 21)

Accepted Answer

Segment polarity gen

Question 14

A gene that specifies the fate of a particular anatomical segment in Drosophila is called a(n) _.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A gene that specifies the fate of...

Question 15

Do Hox gene clusters exist in humans? If so, how many are known to exist? 27)

Accepted Answer

Yes, Hox gene cluste

Question 16

Which function earlier in development: maternal -effect genes or zygotic genes? 17)

Accepted Answer

maternal -

Question 17

Three investigators-Nusslein -Volhard, Wieschaus, and Lewis-won the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine in 1995 for work they did in 1970 with Drosophila. Briefly describe their findings.

Accepted Answer

They identified and characteri

Question 18

What is the significance of the homeodomain? 28)

Accepted Answer

The homeodomain is a highly conserved pr

Question 19

Which class of genes controls the developmental identity of segments along the anterior -posterior axis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which class of genes controls the developmental...

Question 20

True or False: Differentiation is the process whereby a cell's determined state is expressed. 33)

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 20: Developmental Genetics

Mutations that eliminate a contiguous region in the Drosophila embryo's segmentation pattern are called _.

Explain the differences between differentiation and determination. Provide examples of each process and indicate how each is involved in development.

Segmentation genes, such as the pair -rule class, are inherited through mitochondrial DNA in Drosophila.

Give a brief definition of a homeobox. 30)

From a human developmental standpoint, what is the significance of Hox genes? 29)

Define determination and differentiation.

Molecular/structural orientations (gradients) in an egg are thought to play a significant role in development. What is the origin of such gradients? What evidence indicates that the maternal genotype is involved in providing such gradients?

Provide a brief description of the variable gene activity hypothesis as it relates to development. What information is often provided in support of this hypothesis?

A homeobox gene is one that produces a group of repetitive base sequences such as a VNTR.

Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of the Notch pathway?

Genetic involvement in development appears to be achieved, at least in part, by variable gene activity.

Determination is the process whereby a cell's eventual developmental fate is set. 32)

How do segment polarity genes relate to pair -rule genes? 21)

A gene that specifies the fate of a particular anatomical segment in Drosophila is called a(n) _.

Do Hox gene clusters exist in humans? If so, how many are known to exist? 27)

Which function earlier in development: maternal -effect genes or zygotic genes? 17)

Three investigators-Nusslein -Volhard, Wieschaus, and Lewis-won the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine in 1995 for work they did in 1970 with Drosophila. Briefly describe their findings.

What is the significance of the homeodomain? 28)

Which class of genes controls the developmental identity of segments along the anterior -posterior axis?

True or False: Differentiation is the process whereby a cell's determined state is expressed. 33)

Introduction to Genetics

Mitosis and Meiosis

Mendelian Genetics

Modifications of Mendelian Ratios

Sex Determination and Sex Chromosomes

Chromosome Mutations: Variation in Number and Arrangement

Linkage and Chromosome Mapping in Eukaryotes

Genetic Analysis and Mapping in Bacteria and Bactierophages

DNA Structure and Analysis

DNA Replication and Recombination

Chromosome Structure and Dna Sequence Organization

The Genetic Code and Transcription

Translation and Proteins

Gene Mutation, Dna Repair, and Transposition

Regulation of Gene Expression

The Genetics of Cancer

Recombinant Dna Technology

Genomics and Proteomics

Applications and Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Quantitative Genetics and Multifactorial Traits

Population and Evolutionary Genetics

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