Drosophila melanogaster flies that have the Shaker mutation appear normal at room temperature.If you hold a vial of flies with this mutation for a few minutes (i.e., warm the vial to body temperature, or 37^oC), the flies become uncoordinated because of the warmth of your hand.If you remove your hand, the flies soon recover.Based on this information, which statement about the Shaker mutation must be true?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the Shaker mutation causes uncoordination when the flies are warmed to 37°C suggests that the mutation is restrictive at this temperature. This means that the mutation impairs normal function of the potassium channels in the fly's nerve cells, which are responsible for controlling muscle movement. The fact that the flies recover when the temperature returns to room temperature suggests that the mutation is permissive at lower temperatures. This means that the mutation does not impair channel function when the temperature is cooler, allowing the flies to move normally. The other answer choices are incorrect based on the information given.

Drosophila Melanogaster Flies That Have the Shaker Mutation Appear Normal