Suppose that a homeotic gene from Drosophila is introduced into an Arabidopsis embryo that has a pre- existing mutation in one of its homeotic flower genes. What effect would you expect and why?
A) a mixture of roughly equal numbers of Drosophila and plant gene product, producing an intermediate phenotype
B) expression of the Drosophila homeotic gene correcting the mRNA of the mutant plant
C) no effect, because Hox genes are different from MADS box genes
D) correction of the sequence in the mutant by recombination with the Drosophila gene sequence
E) rescue (or negating) of the phenotype of the mutant because the fly Hox gene supplies the missing protein

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

EHomeotic genes from Drosophila (which are Hox genes) and those in Arabidopsis (which are primarily MADS box genes) are fundamentally different in sequence and function, explaining why there would be no effect based on the difference in gene types (C). However, despite these differences, both types of genes play roles in specifying the identity of body parts. Therefore, introducing a Drosophila homeotic gene into an Arabidopsis embryo could potentially rescue the phenotype of the mutant by supplying a protein that can perform a similar function, even if not by the exact same mechanism (E). This is because both types of genes are involved in determining the identity of structures in the organism, albeit through different molecular pathways.

Suppose That a Homeotic Gene from Drosophila Is Introduced into an Arabidopsis