The Pax6 gene, responsible for initiating lens formation in mice, can be inserted into fruit flies and
A)causes cancer of the brain as it tries to initiate a mammalian eye.
B)forms a partial eye since it is somewhat similar to the Pax7 gene of fruit flies.
C)will have no effect, indicating the extreme differences in lens formation.
D)can be expressed to initiate formation of an eye on the fruit fly's leg.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Pax6 gene is a highly conserved gene across species and can initiate eye formation in fruit flies, even when inserted in non-eye tissues like the leg, demonstrating its role as a master control gene for eye development.

The Pax6 Gene, Responsible for Initiating Lens Formation in Mice