A mutation in one gene may cause a major change in the body...

Name: Problem 12, Chapter 11: Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology
Uploaded: 2020-06-11T13:42:08-08:00
Duration: 2 min 4 s
Channel: Hannah Vigran
Description: A mutation in one gene may cause a major change in the body of a fruit fly. Yet it takes many genes to produce a wing or leg. How can a change in one gene cause a big change? What are such genes called?

A mutation in one gene may cause a major change in the body of a fruit fly. Yet it takes many genes to produce a wing or leg. How can a change in one gene cause a big change? What are such genes called?

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Key Concepts

Master Regulatory Genes

Master regulatory genes are pivotal genes that produce transcription factors, which in turn control the expression of many downstream genes involved in developmental processes. Because they function at the top of a genetic hierarchy, a change or mutation in one such gene can lead to widespread changes in body structure and organization.

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy refers to the phenomenon where a single gene influences multiple phenotypic traits. When a master regulatory gene is affected, its pleiotropic nature means that various developmental pathways may be altered simultaneously, leading to major morphological changes.

Gene Regulatory Networks

Gene regulatory networks consist of complex interactions among genes, transcription factors, and regulatory elements that collectively orchestrate the development of an organism. The networks illustrate how a change in a key regulatory gene can propagate through the system, affecting the expression of numerous genes and ultimately resulting in significant structural modifications.

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