A pair-rule gene in Drosophila called runt controls some of sex and nervous system formation.In the mouse,runt controls blood cell formation,osteogenesis,and genital structures.In humans,the analog of runt,when mutated,causes children to lack collar bones,and the opening at the top of the skull fails to close.What kind of experiment could tell you whether these genes are conserved in function?
A)sequencing of the runt genes from each of the three species of organisms
B)in vivo experiments inserting the copy of the moue gene into a segmented fly embryo
C)in vitro experiment that inserts mouse runt gene into cells from an unsegmented Drosophila embryo
D)sequencing the proteins encoded for by each of the species' runt genes
E)use of immunological methods to identify the target cells of the species' runt transcription factors

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most direct way to test whether the runt genes are conserved in function is to perform an experiment that inserts the mouse runt gene into cells from a fly embryo. This will allow for the evaluation of whether or not the mouse gene can carry out the same function as the fly gene. Sequencing or protein analysis will not directly test gene function, while in vivo experiments with mouse genes in fly embryos will not test conservation of function between the three species. Immunological methods may identify target cells but will not directly test gene function.

A Pair-Rule Gene in Drosophila Called Runt Controls Some of Sex