The Engrailed (En) gene is an example of a(n)
A) paralog; it is crucial for defining the posterior portion of the limb bud in mice and for defining the leg disc in flies.
B) ortholog; it is crucial for defining the posterior portion of the limb bud in mice and for defining the leg disc in flies.
C) paralog; it is a homologous gene produced by gene duplication within the fly limb development pathway.
D) ortholog; it is a homologous gene produced by gene duplication within the fly limb development pathway.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Orthologs are genes in different species that evolved from a common ancestral gene by speciation and retain the same function. The Engrailed (En) gene's role in limb and leg disc development in both mice and flies illustrates this evolutionary conservation, making it an example of an ortholog.

The Engrailed (En) Gene Is an Example of A(n)