Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic disorder involving a partial deletion of chromosome 15q on the paternal chromosome. When both copies of a gene (or chromosome)are functional but only one is expressed, this is an example of __________.
A)position effect variegation
B)X-inactivation
C)genomic imprinting
D)histone acetylation
E)chromatin modifications

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of genomic imprinting, where only one copy of the gene is expressed depending on whether it is inherited from the mother or father. In this case, only the paternal copy is expressed, leading to the symptoms of Prader-Willi syndrome. Position effect variegation and X-inactivation involve the inactivation of one copy of a gene, while histone acetylation and chromatin modifications can affect gene expression but are not specific to imprinting.

Prader-Willi Syndrome Is a Genetic Disorder Involving a Partial Deletion