At a family get-together, your uncle says “I don’t believe in that evolution stu

Question

At a family get-together, your uncle says “I don’t believe in that evolution stuff. Scientists are always saying that something evolved because of ‘a gene for eyes’ or ‘a gene for wings’. Well, that’s crazy – how can one single gene build an eye or a wing?” How do you reply?

The answer is not D as this is the one I chose.

A. Yes, lots of genes are necessary to make an eye or a wing – but a mutation in just one gene might change development, to make a change in how the eye or the wing works.

B. You’re right – for evolution to work, hundreds or thousands of genes would have to mutate all at once, just the right way. It’s not possible.

C. You’re right – for evolution to work, hundreds or thousands of genes have to mutate all at once, just the right way. It doesn’t happen very often, but evolution takes place over millions of years.

D. There are thousands of regular genes that build parts like an eye or a wing. But then there are special “evolving” genes that can change how parts work. Only the second set of genes matters for evolution.

Explanation / Answer

Ans-Yes, lots of genes are necessary to make an eye or a wing – but a mutation in just one gene might change development, to make a change in how the eye or the wing works.

Hox genes are responsible for the general body pattern in most animal, if Mutation occurred in one of these master control genes can completely change the organs that developed in specific parts of the body.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.