Use the following information to answer the following questions.
In Drosophila after ~100 minutes postfertilization, the embryo looks like the following diagram, with all nuclei having moved to the periphery and, subsequently, four of the nuclei being sequestered at the posterior end.

Drosophila embryo after about 2 hours.
-Formation of the pole cells (the four sequestered cells)demonstrates the role of
A) segmentation genes.
B) homeotic genes.
C) maternal effect genes.
D) zygotic genes.
E) all of the above.

Question

Use the following information to answer the following questions.
In Drosophila after ~100 minutes postfertilization, the embryo looks like the following diagram, with all nuclei having moved to the periphery and, subsequently, four of the nuclei being sequestered at the posterior end.
  
Drosophila embryo after about 2 hours.
-Formation of the pole cells (the four sequestered cells)demonstrates the role of
A) segmentation genes. 
B) homeotic genes. 
C) maternal effect genes. 
D) zygotic genes. 
E) all of the above.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sequestration of the four pole cells at the posterior end of the embryo is a result of maternal effect genes, which are genes expressed in the mother's oocyte and play a role in early development before the activation of zygotic genes. Segmentation genes and homeotic genes are responsible for determining the body plan and specific identities of segments in later stages of development, while zygotic genes are activated after fertilization and play a role in the later stages of development. Therefore, the best choice is C, maternal effect genes.

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